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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS
IN
AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY
Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 139-194 June 24, 1916
MIWOK MOIETIES
EDWARD WINSLOW GIFFORD
CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction 139
Moieties J40
Exogamy 141
Totemism 142
Ceremonies 145
Personal Names 146
Marriages : 161
Genealogies 165
Terms of Relationship 170
Terminology and Social Customs ISl
Cross-eousin Marriage 189
Conclusion 193
INTRODUCTION
The Miwok Indians of the Sierra Nevada of California are divided
by anthropologists into three dialectic groups, termed Northern or
Amador, Central or Tuolumne, and Southern or Mariposa. These
three groups oecuiiy the western slope of the mountains from El
Dorado County in the north to Madera County in the south. ^ Their
social organization takes the form of totemic exogamic moieties with
paternal descent.
To Dr. C. Hart Merriam and to Dr. S. A. Barrett belongs the credit
of calling attention to the Miwok moieties." The present contribution,
1 For geographical information see C. Hart Merriam, Distribution and Classi-
fication of the Mewan Stock of California, Am. Anthr., n. s., IX, 338-357, 1907;
and S. A. Barrett, The Geography and Dialects of the Miwok Indians, Univ.
Calif. Puhl. Am. Arch. Ethn., VI, .333-368, 1908.
- C. Hart Merriam, Totemism in California, Am. Anthr., n. s., x, 558-562,
1908; S. A. Barrett, Totemism Among the Miwok Indians, Journ. Am. Folk-Lore,
XVII, 237, 1908.
140 University of California Publicatinns in Am. Arch, anrl Ethn. [Vo). 12
while treating of the moieties in a general way, deals especially with
two subjects with which they are eloseh' interlocked, viz., personal
names and terms of relationship. The former are connected with the
totemie features of the moieties, the latter with the exoganiic features.
The writer has recently found an organization, bearing a resem-
blance to that of the Miwok, among the Shoshonean Mono on the
western slope of the Sierra Nevada in Madera County, and among the
Chukchansi, Gashowu, and Tachi, which are Yokuts. tribes. The
Chukchansi inhabit Madera County north of the San Joaquin River;
the Gashowu inhabit Fresno County south of the San Joaquin River ;
and the Tachi inhabit the plains north of Tulare Lake. These discov-
eries, which will be treated in a forthcoming paper, indicate that social
organization on a dual basis was common to a large part of south
central California.^
The data here recorded refer, except where otherwise noted, to the
Central Sierra Miwok, and were obtained during three visits to their
territory in Tuolumne County. These visits were made in 1913, 1914,
and 1915. Information was also obtained from people who spoke the
Northern Sierra dialect and who were employed on ranches in the
vicinity of Elk Grove, Sacramento County. These people had come
down from their homes in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Amador
County. A brief visit was also i)aid to the Southern Sierra IMiwok
of ^Madera County.
In the preparation of this paper I am indebted to Dr. A. L.
Kroeber, who has unstintingly given me the benefit of his knowledge
of Californian ethnology. ;
MOIETIES
As already related, the Central Sierra Miwok are divided into ex-
oganiic moieties with paternal descent, usually spoken of as kikua
(water side) and tunuka (land, or dry, side). Frequently the former
are referred to as "bullfrog people" (lotasuna) and the latter as
"blue jay people" (kosituna). The presence of two exogamie divisions
with animal nicknames has at least a superficial analogy to a case
mentioned by Dr. W. H. R. Rivers as occurring on the island of Raga
or Pentecost in the northern New Hebrides.*
3 For a preliminary notice see Diehotomous Social Organization in South
Central California, Univ. Calif. Publ. Am. Arch. Ethn., xi, 291-296, 1916.
4 Totemism in Polynesia and Melanesia, Journ. Boy. Anthr. Inst., xxxix, 172,
1909.
1910] Gifford: Miiiok- Moii'tie.t 141
With the Miwok th'e moiety has no subdivisions. At first glance
the fact that 16 per cent of the Central Sierra Mivvok are named after
bears, and the remainder after numerous other animate and inanimate
objects and phenomena, would seem to suggest a phratral system, with
numerous totemic gentes, gone into decay. The Indians, nevertheless,
positively deny the existence of smaller divisions. They in no way
regard the people with bear names, for example, as forming a special
group. Nothing in the information obtained points to a phratral
system ever liaving been in operation.
Individuals from the Northern Sierra division of the iliwok were
found to disagree as to the occurrence of the moiety system among
their people. An informant from West Point in Calaveras County
and one from Jackson in Amador County stated that the dual divisions
were in force in those places. Two other informants, one thirty and
the other about forty years of age, from Plymouth, in Amador County,
knew nothing about the moieties.
Exogamy
The exogamic rules of tlie moieties were not rigidly adhered to
even before the coming of tlie whites. Out of a series of four hundi-ed
and thirteen individuals, whose names were obtained, one hundred
and eighty-four, or 45 per cent, belonged to the water moiet.y, and
two hundred and twenty-nine, or 55 per cent, to the land moiety. The
greater number of these four hundred and thirteen individuals were
either of the generation of the oldest Indians of today or of the pre-
ceding generation. Had the exogamic rules been strictly enforced it
would have meant that ten people out of every hundred went un-
married or else married late in life. The natural result of this pre-
ponderance of one moiety over the other would be the bi-eaking down
of strict exogamy in actual practice, especially in a case like the
present, where the system lacks the rigidit.y of the Australian marriage-
class system. Informants stated that strenuous efforts were never
made to prevent improper marriages. The relatives merely objected
and pointed out the impropriety of such marriages. Under the head-
ing "ilarriages" are listed the recorded Miwok marriages, of which
actually 25 per cent are improper.
The figures in the last paragraph show the division into moieties
of the Central Sierra Miwok as a whole, at least so far as the data go.
A li.st of the inhabitants of only one village was obtained. This village
142 Vniversitij of California Piihlicatioiis in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
was located on Big Creek near Groveland. The total number of indi-
viduals listed is one hundred and two and includes people of all
generations within the knowledge of the informant. Out of this total,
56 per cent belonged to the water moiety and 44 per cent to the land
moiety. This is the reverse of the situation among the Central Sierra
Miwok exclusive of the Big Creek people. A table will perhaps make
the situation clearer.
PerceiitnEf PercentaEe
of water of land
moiety moiety
Central Sierra Miwok in general 4.5 55
Village at Big Creek 56 44
Central Sierra Miwok, except Big Creek people 41 59
Unfortunately no other village censuses have been taken, so that
in comparing the Big Creek people with the remainder of the Central
Sierra Miwok we are comparing with a very miscellaneous and scat-
tered lot of individuals. Roughly stated, however, they may be said
to be mainly Jamestown and Knights Ferry people. At Big Creek
twelve people out of a hundred were ineligible for monogamic mar-
riage within the village, if strict exogamy were enforced. In the
region outside of Big Creek, however, eighteen people out of a hiui-
dred were ineligible.
Totem ISM
That totemie symptoms of one sort or another are present in the
Miwok organization cannot be denied ; yet, on the other hand, it must
be acknowledged that the classing of the Miwok with totemie peoples
is based on a rather weak foundation. The claims for such classifi-
cation rest on three well established facts.
First, all nature is divided between land and water, in a more or
less arbitrary manner, to be sure, as shown by the classing of such
animals as the coyote, deer, and quail on the ' ' water ' ' side.
Second, the exogamie moieties are identified respectively with land
and water.
Third, an intimate connection exists between the land and water
divisions of nature and the land and water moieties. This connection
is through personal names, which usually have an implied reference
to animate or inanimate natural objects or phenomena, although not
infrequently to manufactured objects instead. The objects or phe-
nomena referred to in personal names belong, as a rule, either to the
water or to the land side of nature. The names ai'e applied according
1916] Gifford: Miwok iloielies 14.'!
as tlie individual is of the water or of the laud moiety. Hence, it
may be said that each moiety is connected through the personal names
of its members with a more or less definite group of objects and
phenomena.
The ensuing very incomplete lists, the contents of which were
spontaneous on the part of informants, give some idea of the dual
classification of nature. The reason for placing on the "water" side
certain creatures which are actually land animals is hard to under-
stand. An informant explained two of the cases to me as follows:
The quail is placed on the water side because a turtle once turned into
a quail ; while the coyote is placed on the water side because Coyote
won a bet with the creator and the latter had to go to the sky and take
a land-side name, while Coyote remained on earth and took a water-
side name.
On the water side are coyote, deer, antelope, beaver, otter, quail,
dove, kingbird, bluebird, turkey vulture, killdeer, jacksnipe, goose,
crane, kingfisher, swan, land salamander, water snake, eel, whitefish,
minnow, katydid, butterfly, clouds, and rainy weather.
On the land side are tree squirrel, dog, mountain lion, wildcat,
raccoon, jay, hawk, condor, raven, California woodpecker, flicker,
salmon-berry, "Indian jjotato," sky, and clear weather.
Another, though slender, bit of evidence in favor of totemism is a
fragment of a myth recounting the origin of the moieties. It w'as
obtained from a woman of the water moiety, Mrs. Sophie Thompson,
formerly chieftainess at Big Creek, near Groveland. She stated that
her father, Nomasu, told her the story. In this myth it is interesting
to note that, although an animal of each side is concerned, it is the
coyote, usually classified by the Miwok as a water animal, which
actually gives birth to the four founders of the moieties. However,
the part the coyote plays may perhaps be as much that of culture hero
as of water totem. The myth, the scene of which is laid in Hetch-
Hetchy Valley, runs as follows :
Coyote said to his wife. Bear, as he was about to cohabit with her: "We
will have a boy and a girl. ' ' His wife gave birth to twins, a coyote-boy and a
eoyote-girl, who grew up.
Coyote girl married a bear. Coyote himself dreamed and "made the first
four people when he was dreaming. He dreamed how he was going to make two
kinds and how he was going to call them. ' ' Coyote-girl and her husband told
each other they would have four children, two girls and two boys. Coyote-
girl gave birth to them and they were the first four people about whom Coyote
dreamed.
144 University of California mblications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 1'2
Co3-ote nameil one of the male children Tuuuka and one of the female
children Kikua. The other male child he named Kikua and the other female
Tunuka. Coyote thus made the moieties and gave people their first names.
The new couples, although brothers and sisters, married and had children.
The gopher acted as messenger and told Tunuka (woman) to come and help
Kikua (woman) give birth to her child. After his wife Kikua had given birth,
Tunuka (man) went out and killed a turkey vulture so as to wrap his baby in
the feathers. Nest Tunuka (woman) had a baby and gopher went to Kikua
(woman) and asked her to come and assist at the delivery. Then Kikua (the
husband of Tunuka) went out and killed an eagle to wrap his baby in. He
also killed a deer and tanned the hide to make a cradle-board of it for the baby.
Coyote-boy also married his sister's daughter Tunuka, the wife of Kikua.
The above myth is the only one obtained which points to a belief
in actual descent from animals. "When applied to people with bear
names it looks very much like a myth of descent from the totem, or
at least from the animal after which these people are named. Especi-
ally is this true if a genealogy shows bear names continuously on the
male side of the family. Such was very nearly the ease with the family
of the informant's husband (see genealogy III). With one exception,
all possessed bear names, at least during the four generations shown
in the genealogy just mentioned. When asked if her husband be-
lieved his paternal ancestors to be descended from a bear, Mrs. Thomp-
son replied in the affirmative ; but the bear she referred to was Coyote-
girl 's husband, who, according to the myth, was the paternal ancestor
of all the Miwok regardless of moiety or personal name, and not merely
the paternal ancestor of the Miwok with bear names. Negative an-
swers were received from all other informants when similar questions
were propounded to them. They were usually amused at the idea of
one of their ancestors being a bear, the sun, a dance-pole, or some other
object. In short, the Central Sierra Miwok as a whole do not believe
that they are descended from animals. The.v do believe, however, that
they succeeded the animals on earth, which is the belief common to
the typical central Californian stocks. This belief, that before the
coming of the Indians animals possessed the world, is very different
from the idea of descent from the totem.
Informants stated that in former days it was customary for people
to ' ' show respect ' ' to the bear, the eagle, and the falcon after any of
these had been killed. This was done by laying the body of the slain
creature on a blanket and having a little feast in honor of it when it
was brought to the hunter's home. So far as I could ascertain, this
was not a ceremony connected with moieties or with totemism. It
was no different in import from the offerings made by the Miwok wlien
lOHiJ Oiford: Mitiol MoirUe.s 145
a condor was killed or when the young of a certain hawk were taken
from the nest.^ This type of ceremony was common to a large part of
California. The purpose was to appease the animal or its spirit. The
ceremony was based on the belief that the animals possessed dangerous
supernatural power. Obviously the three eases in question are no
dift'erent in motive from the above, or from the practices of other
stocks, of which a notable example is the Maidu treatment of bears."
The supernatural powers obtained by shamans from animals were
not received, except by coincidence, from the animal after whicli the
shaman was named. A man of the water moiety might become a bear
shaman just as readily as a man of the land moiety, even though beai's
and bear names are associated only with the latter moiety. Appar-
ently a man's moiety and his personal name had no influence ou his
acquisition of supernatural power. The animal he was named after
did not become his familiar or guardian spirit, except, as I have said,
by coincidence.
Ceremonies
The participation of the moieties as such in games and cere-
monies was unimportant. Out of forty-four known ceremonies, the
moieties took part as such in only four — the funeral, the mourning
ceremony, the girl's puberty ceremony, and a dance known as the
ahana. At least at Big Creek the moieties had reciprocal funerary
functions, it being the duty of one moiety to care for the dead of the
other. In the washing of the people which terminated the mourning
ceremony washers of the water moiety tended one basket and washed
people of the land moiety, while washers of the land moiety tended
another basket and washed people of the water moiety. This custom,
together with that of the moieties taking sides in games, obtained regu-
larly at Big Creek, but not to such an extent elsewhere. This perhaps
points to Big Creek as a place in which the moiety system was more
firmly established.
In the girl's puberty ceremony it was customary for some girl,
for whom the rites had previously been performed, to exchange dresses
with the initiate. In all cases the two girls belonged to opposite moie-
ties; if the initiate was of the water moiety, the girl who exchanged
dresses with her must be of the land moiety. In the ahana dance the
^ See the meaning of Tcuke in the list of personal names, p. 157.
e Roland B. Dixon, The Northern Maidu, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., xvn, 194,
1905.
14(3 University of California Publications in Ant. Arch, and Ethii. [Vol. 12
spectators, who made gifts to the dancers, were always of the opposite
moiety but of the same sex as the dancers to whom they gave presents.
Among the Southern Sierra Miwok of Madera County dancers
indicate their moiety by means of paint, especially on the face. The
land moiety is indicated by stripes, usually horizontal; the water
moiety by spots. The latter are said to represent the spots of fawns,
which are water moiety animals. Informants did not know what the
land nioiet}' stripes represented.
PERSONAL NAMES
A child was named shortly after birth, jireferably by a grand-
father, but not infrequently by an.y one of the near relatives. The
name received at that time was kept throughout life. Names of men
and women did not differ. Occasionally a person received a nickname
later in life.
The literal meanings or derivations, in part at least, as well as
the connotations, of one hundred and forty-four personal names were
obtained. Thirty-four of these names prove to be nouns or deriva-
tives of nouns, and one hundred and two verbs or derivatives of verbs.
Of the remaining eight names, three are adverbial, while five may be
either nouns or verbs. It is likely that a similar proportion will be
found throughout the remaining two hundred and eighty-seven names,
of which record was made, when the literal meanings are worked out.
It is interesting to find that in the use of both nouns and verbs Yokiits
personal names, as obtained by Dr. A. L. Kroeber, agree with the
iliwok."
To a strange Indian, not acquainted with the individual whose
name is mentioned, verb names have only their literal meaning. To
the friends and acquaintances of the individual, however, the name
has more than its literal meaning. It has an implied meaning, which
usually brings in a reference to an animate or inanimate object. For
example, the personal name Wiiksii is a form of the verb meaning
"to go." Yet to the friends and relatives of the man his name meant
"Sun going down." Another interesting case is found in the per-
sonal names Hausii and Hauteu, both derived from hausus, to yawn,
or to gape. The former is a land moiety name and a bear is implied ;
the latter is a water moiety name and a salmon is implied. An ex-
treme ease, but one which throws light on the mental attitude of the
Yokuts Names, Journ. Am. Folk-Lore, xi.\, 142-143, 1906.
19U;j Giford: Miwok Muieties 147
name-giver, is that of the name Kuyunu. This name, according to the
informant, had the eonnotation, "Dog wagging its tail." Kiiyunii
contains the same root as kiiyage, to whistle. Apparently the name-
giver thought of the whistling of a man to a dog as the cause of the
dog wagging its tail, and, instead of naming the child after the action
of the dog, named it after the cause of the dog"s action; namely, whis-
tling. "Without knowledge of the individual, a Miwok, on hearing any
of the above names, would be unable to decide as to the person's moiety
or as to the animal or object implied. In the .seventy bear names
obtained, the word for bear is actually used in only one ease.
In other words, among the Miwok there is absolutely nothing in
the literal meanings of over 70 per cent of the personal names even to
suggest totemism. It is only in the imjilied meanings that the totemic
element appears. In this respect there is a striking resemblance to
the Mohave custom of calling women by names which have only an
implied and perhaps esoteric reference to natural objects or phe-
nomena, the coyote, for instance.'
A close parallel to Miwok names is found in Hopi personal names,
as .set forth in the Rev. H. R. Voth's paper on "Hopi Proper Names."''
The names as a rule are considerably longer than the average Miwok
name, because they are iisually made up of two or more elements, in
many cases a noun and a verb. Pure verb names among the Hopi are
scarce, but, when they do occur, they do not differ from Miwok verb
names in their application. For example, consider tlie name Una,
which means "remember "; in this there is nothing to indicate the
animal or object for which the person was named. Yet the coyote is
implied, and the name "refers to the fact that a coyote is said to
remember some food that he has buried somewhere and that he then
gets." As stated above, each Miwok name has an implied or actual
reference to an object associated with the moiety to which the pos-
sessor of the name belongs. Each Hopi name, however, does not refer
to the clan totem of the possessor, except coineidentally, but does refer
to the clan totem of the name-giver. The most striking resemblance
between the Miwok and the Hopi systems of naming lies in the fact
that in each system names identical in form, when applied to different
individuals, may connote entirely different objects.
Half-breeds born of Miwok mothers and white fathers are always
considered as belonging to the moiety of which the mother is not a
8 A. L. Kroeber, Preliminary Sketch of the Mohave Indians, Am. Anthr.,
n. s., IV, 278, 1902.
0 Field Col. Mus. Anthr., vi, 61-11.3, 1905.
148 University of California PiiliUcations in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
member. For example, if the mother is of the land moiety, the half-
breed child will be of the water moiety and his or her name will refer
to an animal or object identified with the water side of nature.
The matter of naming foreigners who take up their residence with
the Miwok proceeds after a somewhat similar fashion. It is particu-
larly well exemplified by a number of Yokuts and Costanoan men who
lived with the Miwok and married Miwok women. As a rule these
men were placed in the moiety to which their wives did not belong.
The same practice is shown in the marriage of Yottoko, a negro, to
Ukunulumaiye, a Miwok woman of the land moiety. Yottoko was
given a water moiety name. The above custom is just the reverse of
the Winnebago practice, in which foreigners who marry Winnebago
women are given a name from the wife's clan.^" Descent with the
Winnebago is paternal as with the Miwok, hence the children of such
marriages belong to the mother's clan, not directly through the mother,
however, but through the fatlier.
The ensuing list gives the names for which complete or partial
derivations have been worked out. The sex and moiety of each indi-
vidual is indicated as follows: (m.) for male, (f.) for female, W. for
water moiety, L. for land moiety. The italicized words in this list
indicate the animals or other objects to which the personal names refer.
It is to be noted that the connotation of a name occasionally brings to
light an interesting old custom, for example, in the ease of the name
Tcuke (see p. 157). Lack of familiarity with the language prevents a
fuller linguistic analysis of the names.
Akaino. L. (m.) Bear holding its head up. Akaiye, to hold one's head uji.
Akulu. L. (m.) Looking at the sun. Akiile, to look up.
Apanta. W. (m.) Salamander in the water. Apanta, salamander.
Atce. W. (f.) Cutting and drying salmon. Ate, to split off.
Awanata. W. (m.) Turtle.
Elki. L. (m.) Bear hanging intestines of people on top of rocks or bushes.
Elkini, to hang on top of or over.
Eiieto. L. (m.) Bear's manner of walking. Efia, bent or crooked. In this rase
reference is made to the bear bending its foot when walking.
Epeta. L. (f.) Lizard lying on top of rock. Epetitcu, to lie on the belly.
Etu. L. (m.) Sun rising from the hills. Etu, sun; etumu, to get warm in the
sun, that is, to sun one's self; etumii, to ascend a hill. According to a Big
Creek informant, etu is the term for sun at that place. Cf. watu, sun, in
Southern Sierra dialect. Among the Central Sierra Miwok, other than Big
Creek people, hiema is the term for sun.
Etumu. L. (ni.) Bear warming itself in the sun. Etumu, to sun one's self.
10 Paul Radin, The Clan Organization of the Winnebago, a Preliminary
Paper, Am. Anthr., n. s., XII, 212-213, 1910.
1916] Giford: Miirol Moiitien 149
Etuniiiye. L. (f.) Bear climbing a hill. Etumii, to aseeud a hill.
Hatawa. L. (m.) Bear breaking the bones of people or animals. Hate, foot;
hate, to press with the foot; atwa, to split.
Hateya. L. (f.) Bear making track in the dust. Hate, foot; hate, to press
with the foot.
Hausii. L. (m.) Bear yawning as it awakes. Hausus, to yawn, to gape.
Hautcu. W. (m.) Salmon gaping when out of water. Hausus, to yawn, to gape.
He'eluye. L. (f.) Bow, arrous, and tjiiiu-r placed against tree while warrior rests.
Seelutco, to lay on side.
Helaku. L. (f.) Sunny day without clouds. Helaku, sunny day.
Helki. W. (m.) Jaclsiiipe ( ?) digging into ground with bill. Hele, to touch.
The Miwok name for the bird alluded to its kuiatawila; it is said to come
only in the winter.
Helkimu. W. (m.) Hitting bushes with seed beater. Hele, to touch.
Heltu. L. (m.) Bear barely touching people as it reaches for them. Helat, to
reach for and barely touch.
Hesutu. L. (m.) Lifting a i/<'/?o)c-,iHcic/s' nest out of the ground. Hesa, yellow-
jackets' nest; hesute, to take out yellow-jackets' nest.
Hesutuye. L. (f.) Getting ^(■//oH■-./a(■i■(^s' ' nest from the ground. Hesa, yellow-
jackets ' nest; hesute, to take out yellow-jackets' nest.
Heteltci. L. (f.) Leaning against pota ceremony pole. Helitcu, to lean against.
Hisokuye. L. (f.) Hair growing on hear. Hisoku, body hair.
Hopoto. W. (m.) Frog eggs hatching in water. Hopoto, round.
Hotutu. W. (m.) Hound rods hurting the feet, when one is walking. Hoto-
wun, to walk on round rocks; hotolum, to roll.
Howotmila. L. (m.) Running hand down (encircling) branch of a certain kind
of shrub to get off the seeds for beads. Howotu, beads.
Hunipte. L. (m.) Looking ''high-toned'" when getting sccrf. Hunepu, to look
proud.
Hupaiye. W. (f.) Making boiled "wild cabbaye" into a ball for luncdi when
cooking acorns. Hupaiye, to squeeze.
Huyana. W. (m.) Sain falling.
Kalmanu. W. (m.) Lightning striking tree. Kala, lightning striking.
Katuye. W. (m.) Damming leater in pool. Kata, to close, to shut.
Kilikila. L. (m.) Small hawk (kilikila) calling, making a cry which resembles
name.
Koho. L. (m.) Limping. Cojo, Spanish for lame.
Kolenya. W. (f.) Fish coughing. Kole, to cough.
Kolotomu. W. (f.) Getting oaJ^-leaf gall-nuts. Kolotu, a spiny red oak-leaf
gall-nut.
Kosumi. W. (m.) Going fishing with a spear for salmon. Kose, to throw at;
kosumu, salmon.
Kukse. W. (m.) rallci/ quail starting to fly from ground. Kuksc, to be fright-
ened.
Kusetu. W. (f.) "Wild potato" sprouting. Kusetu, to bloom.
Kusetu. L. (m.) " JVild potato" growing out of ground. Kusetu, to bloom.
Kusetuye. \V. (f.) "Wild potato" sprouting. Kusetu, to bloom.
Kutattca. L. (m.) Bear scattering intestines of a person as it eats him. Ku-
tatcnani, to throw away something not wanted.
Kutcume. L. (ni.) XJnburned ends of wood after fire dies out.
Kutcuyak. L. (m.) Bear with good hair. Kutci, good.
150 Uiiiiersity of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
Kututcauati. L. (f.) Bear eating people. This uame is umloubteilly of the
same derivation as Kutattea.
Kuyuuu. L. (m.) Dog wagging its tail. Probably from kuyage, to wliistle, in
which case the meaning is entirely a matter of implication. The reason for
such a meaning lay in the mind of the name-giver, who connected the wag-
ging of a dog's tail with the whistling of a person to the dog.
Labakse. W. (m.) Getting elderberry wood. Lapa, elderberry.
Lilepu. L. (m.) Bear going over a man hiding between rocks. Lile, up, prob-
ably used here with the idea of over, or on top of.
Liiiugse. L. (m.) Tide growing in water. Liiia, tule.
Liptcu. W. (m.) Dropping of eggs of female .icdinon when it is lifted up.
Lipisa, to drop.
Liptuye. L. (f.) Getting inne-nut.s from cones wliich have dropped from tlie
tree to the ground. Lipisa, to drop.
Litaiia. W. (m.) Humminribird darting down after having gone straight up.
Litaiiii, to dart down.
Liwanu. L. (m.) Bear growling. Liwani, to talk; liwa, to make noise.
Lumai. W. (m.) Humming of hummingbird's wings when it is flying fast.
Lumana, to go by with a noise.
Lutaiyet. W. (f.) Fresh-water snail (Physa).
Luyu. W. (m.) Dove shaking head sideways. Luyani, to shake head sideways.
Luyuuu. L. (m.) Bear taking off leg or arm of person when eating him.
Luyani, to shake head sideways.
Liitcmii. W. (m.) Salmon going fast up riffle. Lutsu, to ascend.
Maiyeiio. L. (f.) Chieftainess.
Mateumpaiye. L. (f.) Eating fareu-ell-tn-spring seed raw. Matcu, farewell-to-
spring (Godetia williamsoni) .
Memtba. W. (m.) Tasting farewell-to-spring seed after it has been mashed
with pestle and while still in mortar. Memttu, to taste.
Mituna. W. (m.) Wrapping a salmon with willow stems and leaves after catch-
ing it. Mituye, to roll up.
Moemu. L. (m.) Bears sitting down looking at each other. Mo'ani, to meet;
moeye, to join.
Molestu. W. (m.) Refers to the stone shaped like a deer's foot, which brings
good luck in deer-hunting to its owner. Mole, a magic stone.
Mona. W. (m.) Getting jinwon weed seed. Monoyu, jirason weed ; monui, Yokuts
for jimson weed.
Muliya. L. (m.) Hitting farewell-to-spring seed with stick when it is on bush.
Mule, to beat or strike.
Mulya. L. (m.) Knocking acorns off tree with a long stick. Mule, to beat or
strike.
Miile. W. (m.) Hatclc seizing quail on ground. Mule, to strike.
Notaku. L. (m.) Growling of bear as some one passes. Notcaku, to growl.
Notcitcto. W. (m.) Coyote, snarling over piece of meat under its foot. Notcu,
to cry.
Notcuuku. L. (f.) Any kind of animal calling. Notcu, to cry.
Omusa. L. (m.) Missing things when shooting with arrows. Omsa, to miss
with arrows. Another informant gave this man's name as meaning, "Miss-
ing deer when shooting at them with arrows. ' '
Otu. W. (m.) Collecting .sea shells in a basket. Ote, to put in a basket.
Ova. W. (m.) Naming or speaking of the kuiatawila bird (jaclcsnipe'). Oya,
to name.
1916] Oifford: Miu-ok Moieties 151
Pati. \V. (m.) Twisting willows for carrying fixli. Patiwe, to break by twisting.
Patiwo. W. (m.) Taking bones from slain deer. Patiwe, to break by twisting.
Pikateci. L. (f.) Sifting aeorn flour on flat basket by shaking. Pika, to sift.
Pilekuye. W. (f.) Shell nosc-stirk staying in the ocean. Pileku, shell nose-stick.
Polaij-u. W. (m.) Lale. Polaiyu, lake, valley, or ocean.
Polneye. W. (f.) Dove decoying a person by feigning injury. Polangas, to fall.
Pootci. W. (f.) Cutting salmon's belly. Putu, to cut open the belly.
Posala. L. (f.) Pounding farew ell-to-spring seed. Posa, to burst.
Pusubi. W. (m.) Fog blowing up and covering everything. Puseluni, to blow.
Pususu. L. (m.) Calling a dog. Puus, Yokuts for dog.
Puta. W. (m.) Cutting open a salmon. Putu, to cut open the belly.
Putbana. W. (f.) Catching small fi.^^h with basket. Putbako, to scoop up.
Putceyu. W. (f.) Evil smell of deer's large intestine. Puseyu, to stink.
Putkuse. L. (f.) Acorn soup boiling. Putkuse, to bubble.
Sakati. L. (m.) Hatvlc (kilikila) catching a lizard. Sakati, a species of lizard.
ta. L. (m.) Bear hugging tree. Sapatu, to hug.
ta. L. (f.) Bear dancing with forefeet around tree. Sapatu, to hug.
Sawa. W. (m.) Sod' on edge of river. Sawa, rock.
Septuye. L. (f.) Taking something, that is burning, from the firr. Sipe, to
pull out.
Sewati. L. (f.) Curving of bear's claws. Sewati, curved.
Sibeta. W. (m.) Pulling white suclcer fish from under flat rock. Sipe, to pull
out.
Simutuye. L. (f.) Pinning together tree squirrel's abdomen with stick after
gutting. Simute, to pin together.
Sipatu. L. (m.) Softening fox's tail after skinning, by repeatedly shoving
stick into it. Sipe, to pull out.
Sipinyawo. W. (m.) Breaking deer's bone for marrow. Sipe, to pull out.
Sukumi. L. (m.) Great horned owl.
Suletu. L. (m.) California jay flying out of tree. Sulete, to fly about.
Suletuye. L. (f.) Falcon flying from rock. Sulete, to fly about.
Sumtciwe. W. (m.) Plenty of whiskers. Sumutcelu, facial hair.
Sumtciwe. L. (f.) Fuzz on sugar pine cone when it is young. Evidently this
name and the preceding are both derived from a common root, which prob-
ably refers alike to fuzz and hair.
Sumuteupti. W. (m.) A name having reference to the person "s n-hiskers.
Sumutcelu, facial hair.
Supatee. W. (f.) Mashing seed with pestle. Supa, to mash.
Taipa. W. (m.) Valley quail spreading wings as it alights. Taim, to spread
wings.
Tamulkuyo. W. (f.) From the north. Tamalin. north. I'ndoulitedly an ani-
mate or inanimate object was originally implied. Compare with Tcumetoki,
dove coming from the south.
Tetmo. L. (m.) Dog picking up scraps thrown out. Tetiim, to jiick up.
Tiponya. L. (m.) Great horned owl sticking head uu.ler lioilv and poking egg
when it is hatching. Tipe, to poke.
Tiwatuyak. W. (f.) Trading and buying beads. Tiwako, to trade.
Tiwitita. W. (m.) Eilldeer running on ground and calling. Tewititi, killdeer.
Tolkatcu. L. (f.) Small ears of the bear. Tolko, ear in Southern Siena dialect.
Totokono. W. (m.) Sandhill crane.
Tuiwii. L. (m.) California jay hopping on ground. Tuiyangum, to jump.
152 Uitivcrsity of California Publicatioim in Am. Arch, uml Ethn. [Vol. 12
Tukeye. L. (f.) Pine cones dioppiug and making dust. Tukini, to throw end-
wise.
Tukuli. W. (m.) Caterpillar traveling head first down tree in summer. Tukiui,
to throw endwise.
Tumma. L. (m.) Beating drum. Tuma, drum.
Tupi. W. (m.) Throwing .salmon on to bank. Tupi, to pull up or out.
Tutce. \V. (m.) Small frog jumping. Tutneni, to squat.
Teeweksu. L. (m.) Tree squirrel eating green pine cones. Tciwam, to chew.
Tcintiye. L. (f.) Pressing or pounding buckeye nuts. Tciniwa, to squeeze.
Tcinwe. W. (m.) Squeezing intestines out of minnows. Tciniwa, to squeeze.
Tcitepu. W. (m.) Shining of abalone shell. Tcitepu, to shine.
Tcititi. L. (m.) Green like katydid. Tcitaku, green.
Tcunietokti. W. (m.) Dove coming from the south. Tcumetc, south.
tlhubita. "VV. (m.) Drinking water in the river. Uhu, to drink, in Southern
and Northern Sierra dialects.
Uhubitu. W. (m.) Ill-smelling stagnant water. Uhu, to drink, in Southern and
Northern Sierra dialects.
Ukulnuye. L. (f.) Bear taking young into den. Uku, to enter.
Ukuuulumaiye. L. (f.) Bear going into den. Uku, to enter; emaiye, to visit.
Utatci. L. (f.) Bear scratching itself. Utas, to scratch.
Uzumati. W. (m.) Grizzly bear. A nickname applied on account of a dis-
agreeable disposition.
Wauna. W. (m.) Snoir (jeese calling when flying. Woani, to bark; won, to
crow, to whine.
Wialu. W. (m.) Dove going away. Wialum, to leave.
Wootci. L. (m.) Coyote barking. Woani, to bark; wou, to whine, to crow.
Woto. L. (m.) Coyote sitting on rock barking and moving tail. Woani, to
bark; wou, to whine, to crow.
Wunuti. W. (m.) Hunting-man. Wuntu, to hunt.
Wiiksii. L. (m.) Sun going down. Wuksu, to go.
Yotimo. L. (m.) Tellou-jacket carrying pieces of meat from house to nest.
Yoote, to carry.
Yotimo. L. (m.) Yellow-jacket carrying pieces of meat from house to nest.
Yoote, to carry. This man is the son of the above.
Yottoko. W. (m.) Black mud at edge of water. Yottoko, ilirty; yotok, earth
or dirt in Plains Miwok. The individual was a negro.
Yutkiye. L. (f.) Chicken hawk lifting ground squirrel off of the ground.
Yiitki, to hang.
Yuttciso. L. (f.) Lice thick on chicken hawk. Yutuk, to stick on.
Yutne. W. (m.) Falcon making nest damp by defecating on it. Yutuk, to
stick on.
Yutu. W. (m.) Coyote making feint to seize bird. Yutme, to claw.
The list which follows gives personal names as rendered into Eng-
lish by the Indians, but the exact denotations of which are unknown
to the writer :
A 'a 'me. W. (f.) Dove cooing to young.
Akunatala. W. (m.) Retiring to attend to natural functions.
Alniase. W. (m.).
Amayeta. L. (m.) Big man:anita berries.
19Ui] Gifford: Uiuol Moieties 153
Auawuye. L. (ni.) Stretching hecir's hide to dry.
Ape. W. (m.) Eating acorn mush with the fingers.
Bakno. L. (m.) Missing people with ttrmws.
Bosaiya. L. (f.) White down on head of young eagle.
Giisua. L. (m.) Hawk (kilikila) catching small birds.
Elsu. W. (m.) Falcon circling high in air.
Esege. L. (f.) Bear showing teeth when cross.
Eskeye. L. (m.) FarcweU-to-spring seed cracked open on bush.
Ewenteu. W. (m.) Deer eating brush.
Hahiyo. W. (m.) Salmon keeping mouth open when in shallow water.
Haikiwisu. W. (m.) Salmon opening and closing mouth after being taken from
river.
Haiyepugu. L. (m.) Bear becoming angry suddenly.
Hatcaiya. W. (f.) Black clouds in streaks.
Hehemuye. L. (f.) Bear out of breath from running.
Hiteta. W. (m.).
Hoho. L. (m.) Bear growling.
Hoiyitealu. L. (m.) Bear becoming angry.
Hokoiyu. W. (m.) Falcon hiding extra food.
Hotamuye. W. (f.) Man on rockpile watching for deer.
Hoteakme. W. (m.) Spearing salmon.
Huata. W. (f.) Carrying seeds in burden basket.
Huatama. L. (f.) Mashing seeds in mortar.
Hulutuye. W. (f.) Abalone shell on necklace when dancing.
Hulwema. L. (f.) Dead grizzly bear, killed by hunter.
Hunui. W. (m.) Salmon fat.
Huslu. L. (m.) Bear having lots of hair.
Hustemeyak. W. (m.) Putting fresh-icater snails (Physa) in bags.
Hutamsi. W. (f.) Fish getting together in a bunch.
Hute. L. (m.) Stars appearing which form handle of the Dipper.
Hutcumi. L. (m.) Bear eating people.
Huyube. W. (m.) White oal: log lying on ground.
Hiimiita. L. (f.) Gathering Indian tobacco (hutia) in sifting basket.
Ilokuk. L. (f.) Softness of leaves of "wild potato" when cooking.
Iskemu. W. (m.) Water running gently when creek dries.
Istu. L. (m.) Sugar pine sugar.
Itcimuye. L. (f.) Magpie eating grasshopperr.
Kaliska. L. (m.) Coyote chasing deer.
Kamata. W. (f.) Throwing gambling bones on grouml in hand game.
Kanatu. W. (m.) Making mashed seed into hard lump.
Kaptiuii. W. (m.) Breaking ice in the creek.
Katcuktcume. L. (m.) Bear lying down with paws folded, doing nothing.
Ka'uwu. L. (m.) Acorn mush cooling and thickening in basket.
Kauwiluye. W. (f._) Ice freezing on something.
Kono. L. (m.) Tree .squirrel biting through middle of pine-nut.
Kulmuye. L. (f.) Bear eating young leaves just sprouting.
Kulya. L. (m.) Sugar pine nuts burneil black.
Laapisak. L. (f.) Bear walking on one place making ground hard.
Lanku. L. (m.) Said to be a Yokuts name.
Lanu. L. (m.) People passing one another at the pota ceremony, when running
around pole.
154 University of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
La'uyu. L. (m.) Mashed fareu-eJl-to-spring seed adhering to lips when eating.
Leyati. W. (m.) Shape of abalone shell.
Lii. W. (m.) Turtle poking head out of water.
Liktuye. L. (f.) Bear licking something it has killed.
Liluye. L. (f.) Chiclccn hawl: singing when soaring.
Lise. W. (m.) Salmon's head just coming out of water.
Litcitu. W. (m.) Salmon swimming in river.
Loiyetu. L. (m.) Farewell-to-spring in flower.
Loiyetuye. L. (f.) Farewell-to-spring in flower.
Lokni. W. (m.) Sain coming through small hole iu roof.
Luituye. L. (f.) Bear cripjiled from being shot.
Lukulkatu. L. (m.) Making fox-skin quiver.
Lupu. W. (f.) Iridescence of abalone shell.
Lusela. L. (f.) Bear swinging its foot when licking it.
Lutein. L. (m.) Goldfinch flying.
Makuina. L. (m.) Bear hating people.
Makuina. L. (m.) Knocking farewell-to-spring seed off bush witli stick.
Malataku. W. (m.) Clouds covering the sky.
Malila. W. (m.) Salmon going fast up riffle.
Malkuyu. W. (m.) Farewell-to-spring flowers drying.
Matcinina. W. (m.) Salmon jumping falls and missing.
Matcuta. L. (f.) Cracking and eating sugar pine nuts.
Metikla. W. (m.) Beaching hand under rocks to catch white sucler fish.
Metikla. W. (m.) Putting on metalila (feather apron).
Miltaiye. W. (f.) TTater in waves.
Misu. W. (m.) Rippling water.
Moitoiye. W. (f.) Valley quail's topknot bobbing as bird walks.
Molimo. L. (m.) Bear going into shade of trees.
Momosu. L. (m.) Yellow-jaclcets piled up in nest in winter.
Mosetuya. W. (m.) Dark -looking water on the ocean.
Mu 'ata. L. (m.) Little jellow-jackets in the nest.
Mukuye. W. (f.) Old trail of deer.
Musonota. L. (f.) Magpie jumping on the ground.
Musonotoma. W. (f. ) Coloring of valley quail.
Mutckuye. L. (f.) Taking boic and arrows from wall to go shooting.
Miikii. W. (m.) Deer making trail when walking back and forth.
Namino. L. (m.) Haul- (kilikila) pulling at food, lifting its head as it ilocs.
Naminu. W. (m.) Coyote feeling weak after eating salmon.
Natcamila. W. (f.) Stirring acorn mush when cooking.
Neplii. L. (m.) Bear eating a man.
Newulo. W. (m.).
Nikiti. W. (m.) Round and smooth like abalone shell.
Nimo. W. (m.).
Niwuye. L. (f.) Getting seed.
Noini. L. (m.) Putting sonolu (feather head-ornament) on head.
Nokonyu. L. (m.) Katydid's nose being close to its mouth.
Noksu. L. (m.) Smell of chicken liaivk's (suyu) nest.
Nomasu. W. (m.) Giving away (handing to some one) seed. Another inform-
ant said that nomasu was the name of a kind of seed.
Oiyikoisiye. L. (f.) Getting salt at a place near Copperopolis.
Onalik. W. (m.) Making boas out of cedar.
1916] Gifford: Miwol Moieties 155
Onpume. W. (f.) Coyote aliout to cati-h sometliiiig.
Osepa. W. (f.).
Osmokse. L. (m.) Haivk (kilikila) eating dead birds.
Osoi. W. (m.) Becoming angry. Undoubtedly this name originally had an
implied reference to some animal, since forgotten.
Panahatcu. L. (m.) Twisting and breaking open mc/ar pine cones.
Papiua. L. (m.) Vine growing on oak tree.
Pasatu. L. (m.) Bear's big foot.
Paseleuo. W. (f.) Getting wild vetch.
Patakasii. W. (m.) Small unt biting a person hard.
Pateuka. W. (m.).
Peeluyak. L. (m.) Bear flapping ears when sitting down.
Pele 'me. L. (m.) Coyote with head down passing person.
Pelisu. W. (m.) Eating fish at river for lunch when on fishing expedition.
Petno. W. (m.) Valley quail crouching in brush as hawk passes.
Peusu^-e. W. (f.) Water spilling over.
Piliteyano. L. (m.) Jack rabbit putting ears back when lying down.
Piltcitcma, W. (f.) Meadovolark singing.
Pososu. L. (m.) Color of down of young yreat horned oirl.
Posululu. W. (f.) Froij puffed up when singing.
Pota. L. (m.) One man running around [iota ceremony pole.
Potcu'e. W. (m.) Kicking foothiiU. I'otce, to kick.
Puitcitu. W. (m.).
Pukuua. W. (f.) Deer jumping when running downhill.
Punisouii. W. (ni.) Sucker fish jumping out of water.
Puiioi. L. (m.) Tree squirrel jumping from pine to ground.
Pusui. W. (m.) Turkey vulture putting rattlesnake to sleep by circling over it.
I'usuwe. \V. (m.) Cutting deer for skinning.
Putepu. L. (m.) Chicken luiwk (suyu) walking back and forth on limb.
Putsume. L. (m.) Brushing ground around pole before pota ceremony.
Putsume. L. (m.) Bear sitting on top of big rock with soles of feet turned
forward, legs spread.
Sakasaiyu. L. (f.) Chicken hawk (suyu) making a rough nest with holes in it.
Samtuye. W. (f.) Beaching for deer meat when some one is handing it amund.
Sanuye. L. (f.) Red cloud coming with sundown.
Sata. W. (m.) Throwing salmon out of water.
Satuwii. L. (f.) Rubbing farewell-to-spring seed with rock after it has Iieen
soaked.
Selibu. L. (f.) Falcon flying along edge of bluff.
Selipu. L. (f.) Falcon darting down obliquely in the air.
Seliimtci. L. (m.) Shooting arrou- up in air.
Semeke. L. (f.) Bear lying down looking at ground.
Semuki. L. (m.) Bear looking cross when in its den during snow.
Semuki. L. (f.) Wizard (tuyuku) with fingers bent to shoot "poison" at
victim.
Siitu. L. (m.) Mai/pie's head cut ofi:'.
Sitala. W. (f.) Valley quail running uphill.
Sitki. L. (m.) Putting arrow in quiver.
Sitni. W. (m.) Drawing bow.
Sitpu. L. (m.) Cracking bones of badger after it has been cooked.
Situtu. W. (m.) Taking arroiv out of quiver.
156 Utiiversity of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
Situtuyu. L. (m.) Running hand down branch over basket and collecting berriet
that way.
Siweno. L. (ni.) Taking out bear's gall.
Siwili. L. (m.) Long tail of fox dragging on ground.
Sokawa. W. (m.) Taking eye out of dead deer, or taking hide off.
Sokono. W. (m.) Wizard 's " poison. "
Solasu. L. (m.) Bear taking bark off tree.
Soloni. W. (m.) A place name in Mariposa County.
Solotci. L. (m.) Jack' rabbit sitting with ears up in the morning or evening.
Soiieyu. L. (m.) Bear walking with its short tail hanging down.
Sopatcu. L. (m.) Raven-feather sonolu (head ornament) shaking on head of
dancer.
Soso. L. (m.) Tree squirrel biting small hole in pine nut.
Su'aiye. L. (f.).
Suki. L. (m.) Chicken hau:k (suyu) having a long tail.
Suk 'kaa. L. (m.) Getting ahead of others in digging "wild potatoes."
Sukukiye. L. (f.) Flat place near Rawhide.
Sunumptca. L. (f.) Old and spoiled sugar pine nuts.
Sutuluye. L. (f.) Bear making noise climbing tree.
Ta 'kawa. W. (m.) Mountain lion took his scalp off.
Ta'kawa. L. (m.) White head of the bald eagle.
Takena. W. (m.) Falcon swooping and knocking down prey with its wing.
Taktekaiyu. W. (m.) Deer running on the hills.
Takutcima. L. (f.) Husking seed with stick on flat rock.
Talalu. W. (m.) Big long flat rock.
Tanatcio. W. (m.) Coyote poor and thin.
Talatu. L. (m.) Bear walking around tree, steps close together.
Talepuye. W. (f.) Polishing abalone shell.
Talulu. W. (m.) Falcon eating bird.
Taukiyak. L. (m.) Two arrows crossed, held by two warriors standing on either
side of trail guarding it with drawn bows.
Tawitci. W. (m.) Turkey vulture defecating around nest.
Telumi. L. (m.) Tree squirrel taking shell off of nut.
Telumu. L. (f.) Pounding farewell-to-spring seed in deep mortar.
Tentpaiyu. W. (f.) A person feeling hungry while sitting beside one who
mashes seeds.
Tiimii. W. (m.) Black and yellow caterpillar coming out of ground.
Tikmu. L. (m.) Tree squirrel digging in ground.
Tiktcu. W. (m.) Jacl-snipe (?) digging "wild potatoes " (susa).
Tiputa. W. (f.) Valley quail hiding young when some one passes.
Titci. L. (f.) Bear making motion at every jump when running.
Tiwintcu. W. (m.) KiUdeer flying and calling.
Tiwolu. L. (m.) Chicken hau-k (suyu) turning eggs with bill when they are
hatching.
Tokkoko. W. (m.) Burrowing owl coming out of hole and calling ' ' tok kok. ' '
Apparently an onomatopoetie name.
Tokoak. L. (f.) Refers to a place near Rawhide where the parents of the
woman lived.
Tokolasik. W. (f.) Black-oak acorns getting rotten in water, having been for-
gotten.
Toktokolu. L. (m.).
1916] Giffurd: Miicol- Moieties 157
Tolikna. W. (f.) Coyote's long ears flapping.
Toloise. W. (m.) Deer lying down and looking up at some one coming.
Toloisi. L. (f.) Chicl'en hawk tearing gopher snake with talons.
Tololi. L. (m.) Digging for "iciM potato " (moa).
Tolopoiyu. L. (m.) A big-leaved vine which grows on ground.
Tolsowe. W. (m.) Deer standing, head up, ears erect, looking around.
Tolsowe. W. (m.) Deer's ears erect when it is looking around.
Tonolu. L. (m.) Spotting on California jay.
Tueiiu. W. (m.) Turl-ey vulture lighting on rock or tree.
Tuikuye. W. (f.) Wi:ard killing person with "poison."
Tuketii. L. (m.) Beor. making dust when running.
Tukulii. W. (m.) Tulutucu bird singing.
Tulanu. L. (m.) Two or three bears taking food from one another.
Tulmisuye. L. (f.) Bear walking slowly and gently.
Tumakaiyu. L. (m.) Bear remaining stubbornly in hole when people try to get
it out.
Tumptea. L. (m.) Smoking Indian tobacco (hutia).
Tunaa. W. (m.) Salmon's intestines pulling out like string.
Tunaa. W. (m.) Spotting on siinunu fish (catfish?).
Tuiielu. L. (m.) Haul- (kilikila) roosting on top of a pine tree.
Tusimi. W. (m.) Wizard's "poison" hurting victim.
Tusuwe. W. (m.) Poking deer's stomach with stick, while it is cooking with
meat and blood inside of it, to see if it is done.
Tutaiyati. L. (m.) California jay "cackling" when singing.
Tuwume. L. (f.) Arrow sticking in pota ceremou}' pole.
Tiilemuyak. L. (m.) Morning star rising.
Tiinii. W. (m.) Deer thinking about going to eat "wild onions."
Tiisiiku. W. (m.) Easy breaking of shell nose-stiel:.
Tcaksepuye. L. (f.) Getting light in the morning (dawn).
Tcanatcimu. L. (f.) Tree scpiirrel " singmg."
Tcanutuye. "W. (f.) Valley quail scattering as they fly.
Tcasibu. L. (m.) Sun hurting eyes.
Tcatipii. W. (f.) Deer's antlers hitting brush when deer is running.
Tcawitcu. L. (m.).
Tcilawi. W. (m.) One getting ahead of others in gathering farewell-to-spring
seed. Another informant gave the connotation of this name as "cutting
salmon in strips. "
Tcilikna. L. (m.) A certain species of small hairl- flying.
Tcipliteu. L. (m.).
Tcipuyu. W. (f.) Tying up salmon in willow branches before cooking.
Tcistu. L. (m.) A di.gfti bird calling "tcik! tcik! "
Tcitatpo. L. (m.) Creeper (akantoto) going down tree.
Tciwela. W. (m.) Sides of falcon 's nest covered with excrement.
Tciwu. W. (m.) Valley quail defecating as it flies.
Tciyiiio. W. (m.).
Tcoileka. W. (f.) Water standing in one place.
Tcokotca. W. (ra.) Big cocoon on tree.
Tcotcka. W. (m.) Sound of water in creek.
Teuimukse. W. (m.) Big blacTc bee, with yellow spots, gathering pollen.
Teuke. L. (m.) Throwing seed on roof of ceremonial house after catching
young of hawTc (ititu), so that people will not become sick.
158 Viiirersity of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
Teukitcko. W. (f.) Deer's iutestiues.
Tcukpaiye. L. (f.) Piling up steins of farewell-to-spring.
Tfuktoko. W. (m.) People arriving on time to eat deer meat.
Tfukuluhiye. L. (f.) Bear making so much noise when walking that it frightens
other creatures.
Tculu. L. (m.) Cooking acorns in ashes.
Teumaanuye. L. (f.) Crushing manzanita berries in mortar.
Teumela. L. (f.) Bears dancing in the hills.
Tcumutuya. L. (f.) Bear catching salmon with paws in rifBe.
Tcutcubi. L. (m.) Sun hurting eyes as it comes up over a hill.
Tcuttoko. W. (m.) Lumps around base of deer's antler.
Umlutuya. L. (m.) Soaking seed in water on arrival home after collecting.
Umuye. L. (f.) Damp ground.
Uptuj'e. W. (f.) Piling up bucieye nuts for cooking.
XJsepyu. L. (m.) Bear eating something it finds dead.
Uskuye. L. (f.) Cracking sugar pi/ie nuts.
Utnepa. L. (m.) Bear rolling rock with foot when pursuing .something.
Utunya. L. (f.) Falcon, with feathers of neck ruffled up, dashing down for
prey.
Ututse. L. (m.) Tasting salt after it has been boiled down in hole in rock.
ulemsii. L. (m.) Bear sleeping in hole.
Waketnu. L. (m.) Indians shouting as they draw bows when fighting.
Wasekuye. W. (f. ) Fragments of acorns being scattered by pestle.
Wasilu. L. (m.) Putting on a quail-crest ear-plug.
Wasilu. W. (f.) Putting on a quail-crest ear-plug.
Wassusme. L. (f.) Bear standing on hind feet scratching tree.
Wenitu. L. (m.) Mixing different kinds of seeds in same basket when gath-
ering them.
Wenutu. L. (m.) Sl'y clearing after being cloudy.
Wilanu. L. (m.) Pouring water on acorn flour in leaching place.
Wilu. L. (m.) Chiclcen hawk (suyu) calling " wi. "
Wiluye. L. (f.) Eai/le singing when flying.
Wininu. L. (m.) Falcon circling in air.
Wipupamu. L. (f.) Tearing people to pieces with mouth. This name may
originally have had an implied reference to some animal, more than likely
the bear.
Wittcuna. L. (m.) Falcon pulling feathers off quail.
Wopemii. L. (m.) Bear bearing down a small tree when climbing it.
Wuyi. W. (m.) Turkey vulture soaring.
Yaluta. L. (f.) Women out on flat telling one another there is lots of fareicell-
to-spring seed.
Yanapaiyak. W. (m.) Little clouds passing by sun and making small shadows.
Yatcalu. W. (m.) Deer's antlers sjireailing wide.
Yeleyu. L. (m.) Going at night, walking in the dark. Perhaps this name orig-
inally hail an implied reference to some animal which habitually traveled at
night.
Yelutci. L. (f.) Bear traveling among rocks and brush without making noise.
Yenatcu. L. (f.) Little acorn just beginning to grow on tree.
Yenene. W. (m.) Wizard pressing with fingers on a sleeping person to "poison"
him.
Yewetca. L. (f.) Bear wasting away at death.
1916] Gifford: Miirok- Moieties 159
Yokoa. L. (ill.) Bail ninii killing every one.
Yoskolo. L. (m.) Breaking off a pieee of acorn.
Yoskolo. L. (m.) Breaking off siu/ar pi?ie cones.
Yukukukuye. W. (f. ) Noise made bj' dove with wings when flying. Another
informant gave the meaning of this name as "the sound made l>y a rolling
stone. ' '
Y'ulestu. L. (ill.) Hawi (kilikila) calling as it alights.
Yuttefie. W. (m.) Seeds getting wet owing to a leaky roof.
Ill sixtewi instances I obtained more than one name for an indi-
vidual. This was due in some cases to conflicting testimony as to the
real name ; in other cases the additional name was a nickname. A
comparison of the meanings of real names and nicknames shows no
special rule in the assigning of the latter. Sometimes the object
mentioned or implied in the nickname is the same as in the real name ;
for example, the name Akaino and the nickname Huslu both refer to
the bear. At other times the objects implied are different ; for ex-
ample, the name Lutein refers to the goldfinch, while the nickname
Wasilu refers to the qviail-crest ear-plug. Some nicknames are ap-
plied on account of personal peculiarities ; for example, the real name
of one of my informants was Molestu, a name which referred to a
magic stone connected with deer hunting, while among his nicknames
were Sumtciwe and Suinutcupti, which were more or less derisive
names referring to his unusually full beard. Other nicknames such
as Tiktcu and Kaptinii are probably derived from Dick and Captain,
the English names applied respectively to the two people in question.
Typical connotations were obtained for these two nicknames, however,
the first referring to a bird (probably the jacksnipe), the second to ice.
The real names of the individuals who bore these two nicknames were
Hunui, meaning "salmon fat," and Luyu, meaning "dove shaking
head sideways." Still other nicknames refer to events in the person's
life. A man named Mosetuya, "dark-looking water on the ocean,"
bore the nickname Ta'kawa, "mountain lion took his scalp off," be-
cause of his adventure with a mountain lion.
None of the nicknames obtained apjily to women. In the following
table the first column contains the individual's correct name so far as
ascertainable. The second column contains another name alleged to
be the real name, but which I have discarded as unlikely. The jires-
ence of this column is due to conflicting testimony. The tliird column
contains nicknames. In pareutheses, following each name, is men-
tioned the object referred to in the meaning of the name given in the
preceding lists.
Uiiiversitii of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
Real name
Akaino (bear)
Bakno (arrow)
Elki (bear)
Eneto (bear)
Hunui (salmon)
Lutein (goldfinch)
Luyu (ilove)
Luyunu (bear)
Molestu (ileer)
Mosetuya (water)
Sapata (bear)
Sitni (bow)
Totokono (sandhill crane)
Tciyino
Ukulnnye (bear)
Yuttene (seed)
Ukunnunu (bear)
Wialu (dove)
Pasatu (bear)
Puta (salmon)
Ova (jacksnipe?)
Nimo
Semeke (bear")
Tauatcio (coyote)
Nickname
Huslu (bear)
Yokoa (bad man)
Tulanu (bear)
Tikteu (jacksnipe?)
Wasilu (quail-crest ear-plug)
Kaptinii (ice)
Tumptca (tobacco)
Iskemu (water)
Sumtciwe (whiskers)
Sumutcupti (whiskers)
Ta'kawa (mountain lion)
The objects mentioned or implied in tlie personal names presented
on pages 148 to 159 are listed below in three tabulations. The tirst
two show the objects and phenomena mentioned or implied in water
moiety names and in land moiety names, respectively. The third table
lists objects common to the moieties. The figures indicate the number
of names which have reference to the objects listed.
WATER MOIETY
Abalone 6
Acorn 3
Ant 1
Beads 1
Black bee 1
Bow, arrow, quiver 3
Buckeye 1
Burrowing owl 1
Caterpillar 2
Cloud 3
Cocoon 1
Coyote 6
Deer 23
Dove 6
Elderberry 1
Falcon 6
Farewell-to-spring 3
Fish 5
Fog 1
Football 1
Frog 3
Gambling bones 1
Hawk 1
Hummingbird 2
Hunting man 1
Ice 2
Jacksnipe (?) 3
Jimson weed 1
Killdeer 2
Lake 1
Lightning 1
Meadowlark 1
Metakila (feather apron) 1
Minnow 1
Mountain lion 1
Mud 1
Oak-leaf gall-nut 1
Physa (fresh-water snail) 2
Place name 1
Rain 2
Quail-crest ear-plug 1
Rock 3
Salamander 1
Salmon 21
Sand 1
Sandhill crane 1
Seashell 1
Seed 7
Shell nose-stick 2
Snow goose 1
Sucker fish 3
Sununu fish 1
Tukutucu bird 1
Turkey vulture 4
Turtle" 2
Valley quail 9
Vetch 1
Water 10
Whiskers 2
White oak 1
"Wild cabbage" 1
"Wild potato" 2
Wizard 4
1916]
Gifford: Miuo\- Moieties
LAND MOIETY
Acorn 8
Animal 1
Bad man 1
Bailger 1
Bear 69
Berries 1
Bow, arrow, quiver 9
Buckeye 1
California jay 4
Chicken hawk 10
Chieftainess 1
Cloud 1
Coyote 4
Creeper 1
Dawn 1
Dog 3
Drum 1
Eagle 3
Falcon 6
Farewell-to-spring 12
Fire 1
Fox 3
Goldfinch 1
Great horned owl 3
Ground 1
Hawk 9
Jack rabbit 2
Katydid 2
Lizard 1
Magpie 3
Manzanita 2 .
Night 1
Night bird 1
Pine nuts 2
Place name 2
Pota ceremony 4
Quail-crest ear-plug 1
Salt 2
Seed 7
Sky 1
Sonolu (feather head-ornament) .... 2
Stars 2
Sugar pine 8
Sun 5
Sunny day 1
Tobacco 2
Tule 1
Tree squirrel 8
Vine 2
"Wild potato" 4
Wizard 1
Wood 1
Yellow-jacket 6
OBJECTS COMMON TO THE MOIETIES
Occurrences
Oocurre
Object Water Land
Acorn 3 8
Bow. arrow, quiver 3 9
Buckeye 1 1
Cloud' 3 1
Coyote 6 4
Falcon 6 6
Farewell-to-spring 3 12
Object Water
Hawk 1
Place name 1
Quail-crest ear-plug 1
Seed 7
"Wild potato" 2
Wizard 4
M.VRRIAGES
Ninety-niue marriages were recorded among the Central Sierra
Miwok, thirty-two of these being from Big Creek alone. In the fol-
lowing table proper marriages, that is, between individuals of different
moieties, are indicated by W-L ; improper marriages, that is, between
individuals of the same moiety, are indicated by W-W for the water
moiety and L-L for the land moiety.
Percentage Percentage
of proper of improper
W-L WW LL marriages marriages
Village at Big Creek 26 5 1 81 19
Central Sierra Miwok, except Big Creek
people 48 1 18 72 28
Central Sierra Miwok in general 74 6 19 75 25
The figures for Big Creek include marriages of such individuals whose names
and meanings of names were not obtained. The figures for the Central Sierra
Miwok exclusive of Big Creek do not include these.
l(i:2 Unii-ersify of Califoniw Puhliratiniis in Am. Arch, and Etiiii. [Vol. 12
lu the above table it is to be noted that Big Creek has a lower
percentage of improper marriages than the remainder of the Central
Sierra Miwok region. C-ross-cousin marriage which occurred there
gave a wider choice of mates in the proper moiety by not restricting
choice to non-relatives and distant relatives. This perhaps tended to
keep down the number of improper (endogamous as to moiety) mar-
riages.
The two following tables list, in alphabetical order of husbands'
names, all of the Miwok marriages of which record has been obtained.
BIG CREEK MARRIAGES
H.ish.-.nd
Moiet>
NarapJ after
Wife
Moiet>
Named after
Efieto
L
Bear
Miltaiye
W
Water
Hautfu
W
Salmon
Putbana
\V
Fish
Hauti-u
W
Salmon
Utatci
L
Bear
Litcitu
W
Salmon
Maiveno
L
Chieftainess
Linanii
L
Bear
Tolikna
W
Coyote
Luvunu
L
Bear
Kauwiluye
W
Ice
Molinio
L
Bear
Bosaiya
L
Eagle
Nomasu
W
Seed
Tulmisuye
L
Bear
Nomasu
w
Seed
Wiluye
L
Eagle
Noteitcto
w
Coyote
Putkuse
L
Acorn
Omusa
L
Arrow
Posululu
W
Frog
Patakasii
W
Ant
Yewetca
L
Bear
Pelisu
W
Fish
Liluye
L
Chicken hawk
Sapata
L
Bear
Atce
W
Salmon
Sapata
L
Bear
Pilekuye
W
Shell nose-stick
Talalu
W
Roek
Niwuye
L
Seed
Tunaa
w
Salmon
Simutuye
L
Tree squirrel
Tiisiiku
w
Shell nose-stick
Etumiiye
L
Bear
Teilawi
w
Salmon (also seeil)
Umuve
L
Ground
Wuyi
w
Turkey vulture
Titci"
L
Bear
Yottoko
w
Mud
Ukunulumai
'cL
Bear
Yutteiie
w
Seed
Tcanatcimu
L
Tree squirrel
MARRIAGES, EXCLUSIVE OF BIG CREEK
HuOinnd
Jloietj
Named after
Wife
Moietj
Named after
Eskeye
L
Farewell-to-spring
Matcumpaiye L
Farewell-to-spring
Eskeye
L
Farewell-to-sprin;;
Sumteiwe
L
Sugar pine
Hatawa
L
Bear
Piltcitoma
W
Meadowlark
Hatawa
L
Bear
Sumteiwe
L
Sugar pine
Haikiwisu
W
Salmon
Semuki
L
Wizard
Hunipte
L
Seed
Polneye
W
Dove
Kilikila
L
Hawk
Huatama
L
Seed
Kono
L
Tree squirrel
Nateamila
W
Acorn
Kukse
W
Valley quail
Hesutuye
L
Yellow-jacket
Kutc-uyak
L
Bear'
Musonotoma W
Valley quail
Litaiia
W
Hummingbird
Laapisak
L
Bear
Lukulkatu
L
Fox
Mukuye
W
Deer
Lukulkatu
L
Fox
Oiyikoisive
L
Salt
Lutelu
L
Goldfinch
Tiputa
W
Valley quail
Liiti-niii
W
Salmon
Hiiniiita
L
Tobacco
Malila
W
Salmon
Tcumutuye
L
Bear
Malkuvu
w
Farewell-to-spring
Itcimuye
L
Magpie
Metikl'a
w
Sucker fish
Selipu
L
Falcon
Molestu
w
Deer
Uskuye
L
Sugar pine
Gifford: Miuol Moietie
Husband
Moiety
Mulya
L
Mulya
L
Miikii
W
Neplii
L
Pati
W
Patiwb
W
Pele 'me
L
Pososu
L
Pososii
L
Potfu 'e
W
Puiioi
L
Putsume
L
Sipatu
L
Sitni
W
Sitni
w
Sitni
w
Situtu
w
Sokono
w
Solot(>i
L
Soso
L
Suki
L
Svikumi
L
Sukumi
L
Suletu
L
Takeiia
W
Talatu
L
Tawitei
W
Tawitci
AV
Telumi
L
Tikniu
L
Tikimi
L
Tolsowe
W
Tunima
L
Tunaa
W
Tunaa
W
Teilikna
L
Toititi
L
Tpuimnkse
W
Tcuteubi
L
Unilutiiya
L
Wenitu
L
Wininu
L
Wininu
L
Wittcuna
L
Wootei
L
Wiiksii
L
Yotinio
L
Named after
Acorn
Acorn
Deer
Bear
Fish
Deer
Coyote
Great horned owl
Oreat horned owl
Football
Tree squirrel
Bear
Fox
Bow
Bow
Bow
Arrow, quiver
Wizard
.Tackrabbit
Tree squirrel
Chicken hawk
Great horned owl
Great horned owl
California iav
Hawk
Bear
Turkey vulture
Turkey vulture
Tree squirrel
Tree squirrel
Tree squirrel
Deer
Drum
Sununu fish
Sununu fish
Hawk
Katyilid
Black bee
Sun
Seed
Seed
Falcon
Falcon
Falcon
Coyote
Sun
Yellow-jacket
Wife Moiety
Valuta L
Yukukukuye W
Tcumela L
Kusetuye W
Tiputa' W
Yuttciso L
Posala L
Loiyetuye L
Yaluta L
Hisokuye L
Liptuye L
Pukuna W
Pukuna W
Sapata L
Toloisi L
Yuttciso L
Sewati L
Matcuta L
Epeta L
Wasekuye W
Tcipuvu W
Talejiiive W
Wasilu' W
Tcaksepuye L
Kututcanati L
Huata W
Kututcanati L
Satuwii L
Paseleno W
Samtuve W
Tuikuye W
Ukulnuve L
Pikatcii L
Selibu L
Utunya L
Tcuk|)aive L
Heteltci' L
Tuwume L
Hateya L
Sukukiye L
Musonota L
Lupu W
Yukukukuye W
Putceyu W
Yukukukuye W
Lupu W
Samtuve W
Named after
Farewell-to-spring
Dove
Bear
' ' Wild potato ' '
Valley quail
Chicken hawk
Farewell-to-spring
Farewell-to-spring
Farewell-to-spring
Bear
Pine nuts
Deer
Deer
Bear
Chicken hawk
Chicken hawk
Bear
Pine nuts
Lizard
Acorn
Salmon
Abalone
Quail-crest ear-plug
Dawn
Bear
Seed
Bear
Farewoll-to-spring
Vetch
Deer
Wizard
Bear
Acorn
Falcon
Falcon
Farewell-to-spring
Pota ceremony
Arrow
Bear
Place name
Magpie
Abalone
Dove
Deer
Dove
Abalone
Deer
A berdache, Miiliya, who was named after farewell-to-spring and
belonged to the land moiety, was "married" to Taktekaiyn, a water
moiety man named after deer. It seems possible that the exogamie
rules regulated berdache "marriages." However, this is the only such
union recorded, and the evidence is therefore insufficient. Berdaehes
were not infrequent. Out of five mentioned among Jamestown ami
Knights Ferry people, Muliya is the only one whose name was ob-
tained. He and Taktekaiyu lived together at Teakatcino, near James-
town.
164 University of California Fublieations in Am. Arch, and Etitn. [Vol. 12
In the three following tables are summarized all of the regular
marriages of three groups of people — those with deer, salmon, and
bear names. These three groups of names are the commonest among
the Central Sierra Miwok. The absence of any rule in the choice of
mates, other than moiety exogamy, is apparent. That is to say, for
example, men with bear names did not regularly marry women who
were named after one particular animal. So long as the women were
of the proper moiety it did not matter what they were named after.
Certain marriages occur in more than one table ; for example, a deer-
bear marriage would appear under both deer and bear. Irregular or
endogamic marriages are excluded.
Man
Sugar pine
Man
Bear
Man
Chicken hawk
Woman
Fox
Woman
Bear
Woman
Tree squirrel
Woman
Falcon
Woman
Yellow-jacket
People with
almon ii!ime.s
Married to
Ntimber
Man
Bear
Man
Chieftainess
Man
Ground
Man
Tree squirrel
Man
Fish
Man
Wizard
Man
Tobacco
Woman
Bear
Woman
Chicken hawk
People with
bear names
Married to t
Number
Man
Water
Man
Coyote
Man
Ice
Man
Salmon
Man
Shell nose-stick
Man
Meadowlark
Man
Valley quail
Man
Deer
Man
Seed
Man
' ' Wild potato ' '
Woman
Salmon
Woman
Seed
Woman
Ant
1916] Giford: Miwok Moietie
■ear names
Married to ore
urre
Woman
Shell nose-stick
1
Woman
Turkey vulture
2
Woman
Mud
1
Woman
Hummingbird
1
Woman
Deer
2
Woman
Bow, arrow, quiver
2
Woman
Hawk
1
Woman
Football
1
Genealogies
In the genealogical information obtained there are forty-eight male
lines of descent. Some of these are rather long, covering four or five
generations. Others consist merely of two generations — a man and
his offspring. Of these lines of descent only nine show complete trans-
mission of the eponym of the paternal ancestor to the descendants.
In other words, less than one-fifth of the Central Sierra Miwok families
named all their children after the eponym of the father or other male
ancestor of the group. Plainly, there is no rule of transmission of the
eponym of the male ancestor, and consequently no widespread belief
in descent from the eponymous animal.
If we take the forty-eight lines of descent and break them up into
smaller groups, consisting in each case of father and child, we get the
following results:
Number of cases 132
Percentage of children with eponym of father 41
Percentage of children without eponym of father 59
Considered from the standpoint of moieties, the following results
as to ti-ansmittal of eponyms are obtained :
WATER MOIETY
Number of lines of descent 22
Eponym of paternal ancestor transmitted throughout in 14%
Eponym of paternal ancestor not transmitted throughout in 86%
Number of pairs consisting of father and child 61
Percentage of children with eponym of father 28
Percentage of children without eponym of father 72
LAND MOIETY
Number of lines of descent 26
Eponym of paternal ancestor transmitted throughout in 23%
Eponym of paternal ancestor not transmitted throughout in 77%
Number of pairs consisting of father and child 71
Percentage of children with eponym of father 52
Percentage of children without eponym of father 48
Obviously the results based on the pairs of individuals, consisting
of male parent and offspring, give the more accurate data as to the
tendencies of the moieties in the matter of names. Judging, therefore,
166 Uinversity of California Puhlicatioiis in Am. Arch, and Etkn. [Vol. 12
by percentages, it appears that the tendency of the water moiety as a
whole was to ignore the eponym of the paternal ancestor; while the
land moiety as a whole was about evenly divided on the question. It
is possible, of course, that these tendencies are only local or temporary.
Disregarding moieties and putting the data on the basis of Big
Creek people and Central Sierra Miwok exclusive of Big Creek people,
it is found that the latter are the more zealous in the transmittal of
eponyms, although in both groups they are transmitted in less than
half of the cases :
BIG CREEK
Number of pairs consisting of father and phiM 54
Percentage of children with eponym of father 33
Percentage of children without eponym of father 67
EXCLUSIVE OF BIG CREEK
Number of pairs consisting of father and child : 78
Percentage of children with eponym of father 46
Percentage of children without eponym of father 54
Going still ftirther and considering moiety as well as locality, the
curious result shown in percentages in the following table is reached :
Big Creek Exclusive of Big Creek
Water Land Water Land
Transmitted 9 71 50 44
Not transmitted 91 29 50 56
It appears that the Big Creek people of the water moiety were
remarkably careless about the transmission of the paternal eponym,
while their fellow-villagers of the land moiety were the reverse. Upon
consulting the figures for people, exclusive of Big Creek, it is found
that conditions are very different, about half of the eponyms being
transmitted in each moiety. Perhaps the difference in results for the
two areas is due to lack of sufficient data from Big Ci"eek.
The lines of descent on which the previous discussion is based are
listed below. Sex is indicated by (m.) for male, (f.) for female. The
word following each name is that of the object mentioned in the con-
notation or denotation of the name.
WATER MOIETY— BIG CREEK
Oiialik, bow, arrow, quiver, father of Katuye, water (m.).
Wuyi, turkey vulture, father of Notcitcto, coyote (m.), of Yutu, coyote (m.),
and of Wunuti, hunting-man (m.). Yutu, father of Hatcaiya, cloud (f.).
Wunuti, father of Tciyiiio (m.). Tciyifio, father of Tiimii, caterpillar (ni.) and
of Lii, turtle (m.).
Tcoteka, water, father of Tolikna, coyote (f.) and of Peusuye, water (f.).
Mosetuya, water, father of Totokono, sandhill crane (m.). Totokono, father
of Sawa, rock (m.), of Hunui, salmon (m.), and of Y'utteiie. seed (m.). Yuttene,
father of Onpume, coyote (f.).
1916] Gifford: Miicol: Moieties 167
Tiinaa, salmon, father of Miltaiye, water (f.), of Talalu, rock (in.), and of
Nomasu, seed (m.). Talaln, father of Pntbana, fish (f.) Nomasu, father of
Tukubi, tukutucu bird (m.), of Kusetu, "wild potato" (f.), of Tcilawi, seed
(m.), of Hupaiye, "wild eabbage" (f.), of Tcauutuye, valley quail (f.), of
Hutamsi, fish (f.), of Hopoto, frog (m.), of Pilekuye, shell nose-stick (f.), and
of Pelisu, fish (m.). Pelisu, father of Atce, salmon (f.).
Tiisiiku, shell nose-stick, father of Otu, seashells (m.), anil of Hantcu, salmon
(m.). Hantcu, father of Kolenya, fish (f.), and of Litcitu, salmon (m.).
Soloni, place name, father of Kauwiluye, ice (f.), of Posuluhi, frog (f.), and
of Newulo (m.).
Tcotcka, water, father of Osepa (f.) and of Almase (m.).
WATER MOIETY— EXCLUSIVE OF BIG CREEK
Luyu, dove, father of Osoi (m.), and of Yukukukuye, dove (f.).
Tusimi, wizard, father of Tuikuye, wizard (f.), and of Sokouo, wizard (m.).
Ewentcu, deer, grandfather of Tcatipii, deer (f.)-
Tcuktoko, deer, father of Hotamuye, deer (f.), of Mukuye, deer (f.), and of
Mukii, deer (ui.). Miiku, father of Tolsowe, deer (m.), of Samtuye, deer (f.),
and of Patiwo, deer (m.). Patiwo, father of Yatcalu, deer (m.).
Hahiyo, salmon, father of Liitcmii, salmon (m.) and of Yanapaiyak, cloud (m.).
Sitni, bow, arrow, quiver, father of Kukse, quail (m.).
Leyati, abalone, father of Musonotoma, valley quail (f.).
Situtu, bow, arrow, quiver, father of Nikiti, abalone (m.), of Lupu, abalone
(f.), and of Hulutuye, abalone (f.).
Metikla, sucker fish, father of Pootci, salmon (f.).
Tolsowe, deer, father of Tiinii, deer (m.), and of Putceyu, deer (f.).
Miile, quail, father of Uptuye, buckeye (f.).
Takeiia, falcon, father of Talulu, falcon (m.) and of Tutce, frog (m.).
Malkuyu, farewell-to-spring, father of Elsu, falcon (m.), of Tciwela, falcon
(m.), of Hokoiyu, falcon (m.), and of Yutne, falcon (m.).
Poteu'e, football, father of Ape, acorn (m.).
LAND MOIETY— EXCLUSIVE OF BIG CREEK
Luyunu, bear, father of Sutuluye, bear (f.), and of Tcanatciniu, tree squir-
rel (f.").
Tutaiyati, California jay, father of Luituye, bear (f.), of Lusela, bear (f.),
anil of Liwanu, bear (m.). Liwanu, father of Katcuktcume, bear (m.).
Hoho, bear, father of Solasu, bear (m.), and of Efieto, bear (m.). Solasu,
father of Sanuye, cloud (f.). Eiieto, father of Liktuye, bear (f.) and of Sapata,
bear (m.). Sapata, father of Anawuye, bear (m.), of Kulmuye, bear (f.), of
Molimb, bear (m.), of Wopemii, bear (m.), of Wassusme, bear (f.), of Hehe-
muye, bear (f.), of Moemu, bear (m.), of Hoiyitcalu, bear (m.), and of Etuniu,
bear (m.).
Peeluyak, bear, father of Niwuye, seed (f.).
LAND MOIETY, EXCLUSIVE OF BIG CREEK
Noksu, chicken hawk, father of Tiwolu, chicken hawk (m.).
Sitki, bow, arrow, quiver, father of Mutckuye, bow, arrow, quiver (f.), of
Waketnu, bow, arrow, quiver (m.), and of He'eluye, bow, arrow, quiver (f.).
Tumma, drum, father of Makuina, seed (m.).
168 Viiiversity of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Etiui. [Vol. 12
Semuki, bear, father of Takutcima, seed (f.).
Tceweksu, tree squirrel, father of Tikmu, tree squirrel (m.), of Telumi, tree
squirrel (m.), anil of Hiimiita, tobacco (f.).
Sukumi, great horneil owl, father of Wootei, coyote (m.), of Pososu, great
horned owl (m.), of Tiponya, great horned owl (m.), and of Yelutci, bear (f.).
Etu, sun, father of Akulu, sun (m.), and of Mulya, acorn (m.). Mulya,
father of Suletuye, falcon (f.).
Tiilemuyak, star, father of Tcaksepuye, dawn (f.).
Talatu, bear, father of Wiiksii, sun (m.). Wiiksu, father of Siitu, magpie
(m.), and of Tcasibu, sun (m.)-
Putepu, chicken hawk, father of Toloisi, chicken hawk (f.).
Kskeye, farewell-to-spring, father of Yaluta, farewell-to-spring (f.).
Puiioi, tree squirrel, father of Matcuta, sugar pine (f.), and of Wittcuna,
falcon (m.). Wittcuna, father of Tetmo, dog (m.).
Putsuine, bear, father of Liiiugse, tule (m.).
Pele'rae, coyote, father of Ukulnuye, bear (f.), and of Posala, farewell-to-
spring (f.).
XJmlutuya, seed, father of Loiyetu, farewell-to-spring (m.), of Loiyetuye,
farewell-to-spring (f.), and of La 'uyu, farewell-to-spring (ni.).
Neplii, bear, father of Esege, bear (f.) and of Tcukululuye, bear (f.).
Hunipte, seed, father of Wenitu, seed (m.), of Muliya, farewell-to-spring
(ra.), and of Tcukpaiye, farewell-to-spring (f.)-
Tcilikna, hawk, father of Hute, star (ni.).
Soso, tree squirrel, father of Teluniu, farewell-to-spring (f.), and of Tcuma-
anuye, manzanita (f.).
Ciisua, hawk, father of Osmokse, hawk (m.), of Kilikila, hawk (m.), of
Sakati, hawk (m.), of Tunelu, hawk (ni.), of Yulestu, hawk (m.), and of Namino,
hawk (m.). Kilikila, father of Teutcubi, sun (m.).
Papina, vine, father of Yoskolo, sugar pine (m.), of Sunumptca, sugar pine
(f.), and of Kulya, sugar pine (m.).
Suki, chicken hawk, father of Wilu, chicken hawk (ni.).
Of value as indicating the relationship of many individuals not
listed in the above lines of descent is a list of brothers and sisters.
Where the implied eponym is the same in each name in a group no
positive evidence is offered as to the transmission of the eponym of
the father. Where the eponym in each name in a group is different
it is obvious that the eponym of the father has not been transmitted
throughout to the offspring. Of the thirty-four groups of brothers
and sisters nine have similar eponyms, while twenty-five have dis-
similar.
Hunipte, seed (m.) ; Umlutuya, seed (m.).
Pati, fish (m.); Metikla, sucker fish (in.).
Etu, sun (m.); Tculu, acorn (m.); Sitpu, badger (m.).
Taipa, valley quail (m.); Situtu, bow, arrow, quiver (m.).
Kutcuyak, bear (m.); Tumakaiyu, bear (ra.); Suletu, California jay (m.).
Liptcu, salmon (m.) ; Putsume, pota ceremony (m.).
1916] Giford: Miirok- Moieties ]69
Tiwitita, killdeer (m.); Piltcitcma, meadowlark (f.).
Tolopoiyu, vine (m.); Sitki, bow, arrow, quiver (m.).
Metikia, metakila (m.) ; Kolotomu, oak-leaf gall-nut (f .) ; Tunaa, suuunu
fish (m.).
Epeta, lizard (f.); Pususu, dog (m.) ; Kuyunu, dog (m.).
Tcitepu, abalone (m.); Wiskala, sand (m.).
Wasilu, quail-erest ear-plug (f.); Moitoiye, valley qviail (f.); Sitala, valley
quail (f.).
Sapata, bear (f.); Hateya, bear (f.).
Awanata, turtle (m.); Sitni, bow, arrow, quiver (m.).
Istu, sugar pine (m.); Ilokuk, "wild potato" (f.).
Sipatu, fox (m.); Lukulkatu, fox (m.)-
Tcuktoko, deer (m.); Pukuna, deer (f.).
Tupi, salmon (m.); Hahiyo, salmon (m.).
Tolsowe, deer (m.) ; Pateuka (m.); Tusuwe, deer (m.).
Hustemeyak, Physa or fresh-water snail (m.); Lutaiyet, Physa or fresh-water
snail (f.).
Yoskolo, acorn (m.); Septuye, fire (f.).
Polaiyu, lake (ra.); Paseleno, vetch (f.).
Jlosetuya, water (m.); Tunaa, salmon (ra.).
Soloni, place name (m.); Teoileka, water (f.).
Simutuye, tree squirrel (f.); Peeluyak, bear (m.).
Tutaiyati, California jay (m.); Wiluye, eagle (f.); Tulmisuye, bear (f.).
Situtuyu, berries (m.) ; Putsurae, bear (f.).
Bosaiya, eagle (f.); Akaino, bear (m.); Tolkatcu, bear (f .) ; Maiyefio, ehief-
tainess (f.).
Misu, water (m.); Tentpai.yu, seed (f.).
Teuttoko, deer (m.) ; Pukuna, deer (f.).
Kono, tree squirrel (m.) ; Soso, tree squirrel (m.).
Tcintiye, buckeye (f.); Tukeye, pine nuts (f.).
Takena, hawk (m.); Malkuyu, farewell-to-spring (m.).
Suki, chicken hawk (m.); Sakasaiyu, chicken hawk (f.).
The following six short genealogies are inserted in the paper as
an aid to the discussion of the Miwok terms of relationship, and also
for the purpose of demonstrating the existence of cross-cousin marriage
(see p. 189). As heretofore, m. means male. f. female. W. water moiety,
L. land moiety. Generation B in genealogy I coincides approximately
in time with generation B in the other genealogies ; the same is true
with the other generations, all having the same letter being approxi-
mately the same in age. In addition to the letters after each name
indicating sex and moiety, there are inserted, in cases where names
occur more than once in the genealogies, Roman numerals and letters
referring to the genealogy and generation in which the name is to be
again found; for example, (IIO) placed after a name means that it is
to be found also in genealogy II, generation C.
Viiifi-r.sity of CaVtfontia Publications in Am. An-h. and Etliti. [Vol. 12
TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP
Exclusive of the terms eselii, child; hikime, child in cradle; and
luwasa, foster-child, thirty-four terms of relationship are employed by
the majority of the Central Sierra IMiwok. The people in the vicinity
of Big Creek employ only thirty-three terms, as their term ate
(younger brother or younger sister) takes the place of the two terms
teale and kole used for these two relationships elsewhere. In this the
Big Creek people correspond with some of the Southern Sierra Miwok
and with the Plains Miwok, but not with the Northern Sierra Miwok,
who, like the majority of the Central people, use the two terms tcale
and kole. One of the striking features of the Central Sierra Miwok
terms of relationship is the disregard of generation. Of the thirty-
four tei-ms, twenty-one apply to two or more relationships which are
in different generations.
The following table presents an analysis of the typical Central
Sierra Miwok terms on the basis of the categories used by Dr. A. L.
Kroeber in his paper on ' " Classificatory Systems of Relationship.""
His eighth category, the condition of the connecting relative, has been
omitted, as it is not operative in Miwok terms. Dr. Kroeber used
twenty-four Miwok terms in his comparative table, while I am using
thirty-four. The changes in figures, especially for the category ' " Gen-
eration," which expresses "the difference between persons of the same
and separate generations," are due to the larger amount of data now
at hand. As remarked above, these data have shown that, considering
the full use of each term, more than one generation is represented in
nearly two-thirds of the terms. The crosses in the following table
mean that the category named at the head of the column is operative
throughout all the applications of the term opposite which it is placed.
The sex of the relative, and whether the relationship is one of blood or
mari'iage, are the two categories most frequently expressed, the former
in twenty-eight of the thirty-four terms, the latter in twenty-six. No
term expresses over five categories ; the average term expresses three.
Considered as to moiety, it is found that of the twenty-nine terms
vised by a man twelve apply to relatives belonging only to his moiety,
nine to relatives of the opposite moiety only, and eight to relatives
who may belong to either moiety. Belonging to the man's moiety only
are his aiisi, ene, haiyi, kole, kumatsa, moe, pinuksa, tatei, tete, tune,
11 Journ. Eoy. Anthr. Inst., xxxix, 78-79, 1909.
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1916]
Gifford: Miwok Moieties
Term
Ama
Anisii
Ansi
Apasti
Atce
Ene
Haiyeme
Haiyi
Hewasu
Kaka
Kawu
Kole
Kolina
Kumatsa
Lupuba
Maksi
Manisa
Moe
Nana
Oivame
Olb
Osa
Pansa
Papa
Pinuksa
Tatci
Tete
Tomu
Tune
T,>ale
i'psa
Upu
rta
Wokli
Terms*
Blood or Lineal or
marriage collateral
Sex of
connecting Sex of Age in
relative speaker generation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NumlH
of le
which each category
tcale, and iipii, belonging to the opposite moiety only are his anisii,
kaka, liipuba, manisa, oiyame, osa, tomu, (ipsa, and iita ; belonging to
both moieties are his ama, atce, hewasu, kawu, maksi, olo, papa, and
wokli. With a woman the distribution differs. She uses thirty terms
to the man's twenty-nine. Fourteen she applies to relatives who be-
long only to her moiety ; seven to relatives of the opposite moiety ; and
nine to relatives who may belong to either moiety according to cir-
cumstances. In the iirst category belong her ene, haiyeme, haiyi, kole,
kumatsa, manisa, oiyame, pansa, pinuksa, tatci, tete, tcale, iipsa, and
iipii ; in the second category belong her ansi, anisii, kaka, nana, tomu,
tune, and iita : and in the third category belong her ama, apasti. atce,
hewasu, kawu, kolina, maksi, olo, and papa.
The terms of relationship with their principal applications ai"e
given below, together with any remarks that seem pertinent. The lists
172 University of California rublications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
of meanings are incomplete in most cases, but are supplemented a few
pages beyond by additional meanings derived directly from the gene-
alogies. Unless otherwise stated the terms older and younger in the
following lists mean older or younger than the speaker. At times the
diminutive suffix -tci or -ktci is added for very young brothers, sisters,
nieces, or nephews, as in tcalektei (baby yoiinger brother), kolektei
(baby younger sister), iipsatci (baby nephew).
Ama.''- Grandmother, graiulinother's sister, grandfather's sister, great grand-
mother. The reciprot'al of this term is atce.
Ami. Mother's older sister, father's brother's wife if she is older than mother,
mother's earlier co-wife. This term is the Big Creek equivalent of the
more generally used term tomu. The reciprocals are ansi and tune.
Anisii. Mother's younger sister, father's brother's wife (younger than mother),
mother's brother's daughter (one of a person's two female cross-cousins),
mother's brother's sou's daughter (one of a person's female cross first
cousins once removed), stepmother, mother's later co-wife. The recip-
rocals of this term are ansi and tune.
Ansi. Son, man's brother's son, woman's sister's son, woman's father's sister's
son (one of her two male cross-cousins), man's father's brother's son's
son, woman's paternal grandfather's sister's son (one of her male cross
first cousins once removed), husband's brother's son, wife's sister's son,
co-wife's son, stepson. The reciprocals of this term are ami or tomu,
anisii, haiyi, iipii, and iita, in other words, father and mother, and poten-
tial stepfathers and stepmothers.
Apasti. Husband's brother, husband's grandfather. The reciprocal of this term
is olo in its meanings brother's wife and grandson's wife.
Atce. Grandchild, man's sister's grandchild, woman's brother's grandchild,
great grandchild. The reciprocals of this term are ama and papa.
Ate. Younger brother, younger sister, father's brother's younger children,
mother's sister's younger children, younger stepbrother, younger step-
sister. This term is the Big Creek equivalent of the more generally used
terms kole and tcale. The reciprocals of this term are tatci and tete.
Ene. Father's sister, father's father's brother's daughter. The reciprocal of
this term is (ipsa in its meanings woman's brother's child and woman's
father's brother's son's child.
Esehi. Child, man's brother's child, woman's sister's child.
Eaiyeme. Later co-wife, husband's brother's wife. The reciprocal of haiyeme
in the first meaning is pansa, in the second haiyeme. In this last respect,
that is, being its own reciprocal, the term haiyeme parallels moe and
maksi, and pinuksa in part.
Haii/i. Mother's sister's husband, stepfather (providing he is not father's
brother when iipii is used). Nowadays there is a tendency to apply the
term haiyi to father's brother; this, however, is a modern innovation
probably due to contact with the whites, for the ancient term for father 's
brother is iipii. The reciprocals of this term are ansi and tune.
1- In the San Miguel dialect of Salinan this term is used for father's parents.
See J. Alden Mason, The Ethnologv of the Salinan Indians, Univ. Calif. Publ.
Am. Arch. Ethn., x, 170. 1912.
1916J Oifford: Miu-ok Moielies 173
Heirasu. Parent-in-law, husband's father's brother, husband's mother's sister,
wife's father's brother, wife's mother's sister, man's brother's wife's
parents, woman 's sister 's husband 's parents. The reciprocals of this
term are manisa and oiyame.
Kula. Mother's brother, mother's brother's son (one of a person's two male
cross-cousins, and in the light of Miwok cross-cousin marriage a man 's
potential lirother-in-law). The reciprocals of this term are iipsa and
lupuba.
Enwu. Sister's husband, father's sister's husband, woman's brother's daughter's
husband, granddaughter's husband. The reciprocal of this term is wokli.
Eole. Younger sister, father's brother's younger daughter, mother's sister's
younger daughter, younger half sister, female cross-cousin 's (anisii)
younger daughter if not speaker's daughter also, younger stepsister,
younger foster sister. The reciprocals of this term are tatci and tete.
At Big Creek ate is used in place of this term.
Kolina. Husband's sister, husband's father's sister, husband's grandmother.
The reciprocal of this term is olo.
Kuinatsa. Mother's brother's wife, man's sister's son's wife (a man's own
daughter in case of Miwok cross-cousin marriage). The reciprocal of
this term is pinuksa in its meanings husband's mother's brother and
husband's sister's child. Two Jamestown informants gave manisa, with
the meaning husband's sister's son, as a reciprocal of kumatsa. This of
course would indicate cross-cousin marriage. Five other informants,
however, gave pinuksa as the proper term for this relationship.
Lupuba. Man's sister's daughter, man's father's sister's daughter (one of a
man's two female cross-cousins). The reciprocal of this term is kaka.
Maksi.i^ Son's or daughter's spouse's parents, son's wife's brother, daughter's
husband 's sister, man 's sister 's husband 's parents, woman 's brother 's wife 's
parents. The reciprocal of this term is maksi; it is paralleled in this
regard by moe and in part by haiyeme and pinuksa.
Manisa. Son-in-law, man's brother's daughter's husband, woman's sister's
daughter's husband, daughter's husband's brother. The reciprocal of this
term is hewasu.
Moe. Wife's sister's husband. This term is the reciprocal of itself, in this
respect being paralleled by maksi and in part by haiyeme and pinuksa.
NaFia. Husband. The reciprocal of this term is osa.
Oiyame. Daughter-in-law, man's brother's son's wife, woman's sister's son's
wife, son's wife's sister. The reciprocal of this term is hewasu.
Olo. Brother's wife, woman's brother's son's wife, grandson's wife. The
reciprocals of this term are apasti and kolina.
Osa. "Wife. The reciprocal of this term is naiia.
Fansa. Earlier co-wife. The reciprocal of this term is haiyeme in its meaning
later co-wife.
Papa. Grandfather, grandmother's brother, great grandfather. The reciprocal
of this term is atce.
Pinulsa. Husband's mother's brother (a woman's own father in case of Miwok
cross-cousin marriage), husband's sister's child, man's sister's daughter's
husband, wife's mother's brother. In its first two meanings the recip-
rocal of this term is kumatsa; the second two meanings are the recip-
rocals of each other.
13 Of. Yokuts makei, A. L. Kroeber, The Yokuts Language of South Central
California, Univ. Calif. Publ. Am. Arch. Ethn., II, 240, 1907.
174 Vniversity of CaUfornia Publications in Am. Arch, and Etiin. [Vol. 12
Tatci. Older brother, father's brother's older son, mother's sister's older son,
older half brother, female cross-cousin 'a (anisii) older son, older step-
brother, older foster-brother. The reciprocals of this term are tcale and
kole, which are included in the one term ate at Big Creek.
Tete. Older sister, father's brother's older daughter, mother's sister's older
daughter, older half sister, female cross-cousin 's (anisii) older daughter,
older stepsister, older foster sister. The reciprocals of this term are
kole and tcale, which are included in the one term ate at Big Creek.
Tomti. Mother's older sister, father's brother's wife (older than mother),
mother's earlier co-wife. The reciprocals of this term are aiisi and tune.
At Big Creek the term tomu is replaced by the term ami.
Tune. Daughter, man 's brother 's daughter, woman 's sister 's daughter, woman 's
father's sister's daughter (one of a woman's two female cross-cousins,
and in the light of Miwok cross-cousin marriage her potential sister in-
law), man's father's brother's son's daughter, husband's brother's daughter,
wife's sister's daughter, co-wife's daughter, stepdaughter. The recip-
rocals of this term are ami or tomu, anisii, haiyi, iipii, and iita; in other
words, father and mother, and potential stepfathers and stepmothers.
Tcale. Younger brother, father's brother's younger son, mother's sister's younger
son, younger half brother, female cross-cousin's (anisu) younger son if
not speaker's son also, younger stepbrother, younger foster brother. At
Big Creek ate is used in place of this term. The reciprocals of this term
are tatci and tete.
Vpsa. Man's sister's son, woman's brother's child, man's father's sister's son
(one of a man's two male cross-cousins), woman's father's brother's
son 's child. The reciprocals of this term are kaka and ene.
rpii. Father, father's brother, father's father's brother's son. The reciprocals
of this term are aiisi and tune. There is a modern tendency to use the
term haiyi for father's brother. Although upu is the vocative form for
father's brother, he is sometimes distinguished otherwise by the addition
of the words tuni (younger) or upela (oliler), and is then spoken of as
younger father or older father. If father has only two brothers and he
himself is either the oldest or the youngest, the one intermediate in age
is spoken of as middle father, the word kauwina (middle) being added.
Vta. Mother. The reciprocals of this term are aiisi and tune.
Wokli. Wife's brother, wife's sister, wife's brother's child, wife's father's
sister, wife's grandparents. The reciprocal of this term is kawu.
A demonstration of the use of the preceding terms of relationship
is given below. Mrs. Sophie Thompson (39. Pilekiiye) and her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Lena Cox (58. Kulmuye), gave me the status, so far as they
were concerned, of ninety-one other inhabitants of Big Creek known
to them. Of these seventy-nine stand in some relation, either blood
or marriage, to the two informants. The list of Big Creek inhabitants
by no means exhausts the people whom the informants reckoned as
relatives. A few of their many relatives who lived elsewhere are also
included in the list given below.
1916] Gifford: Miicok Moieties 175
For the sake of brevity in the following list I have used the number
assigned to each individual in the genealogies, in place of the indi-
vidual 's name. Where any special remarks have been considered neces-
sary they have been inserted. The terms applied by each individual
to the two informants are not given below, but they can be derived
readily enough by looking up in the preceding list the reciprocal of
the term applied to the individual by the informant.
I. Papa (father's father's brotlier) to 39; papa (mother's father's father's
brother) to 58.
5. Papa (father's father) to 39; papa (mother's father's father) to 58.
6. Ama (father's mother) to 39; ama (mother's father's mother) to 58.
7. XTpii (father's father's brother's son) to 39; papa (mother's father's
father's brother's son) to 58.
9. Same as last.
II. tipii (father) to 39; papa (mother's father) to 58.
12. Ami (mother's earlier co-wife) to 39; ama (mother's mother's earlier
eo-wife and father's father's father's brother's daughter) to 58.
13. Same as last.
14. Same as last.
16. Upii (father's brother) to 39; papa (mother's father's brother) to 58.
17. Ami (father's brother's wife older than mother) and ama (father's
mother's brother's daughter) to 39; ama (mother's father's brother's wife and
mother's father's mother's brother's daughter) to 58.
18. Ene (father's sister) and hewasu (mother-in-law) to 39; ama (mother's
father's sister and father's mother) to 58.
19. Kawu (father's sister's husband) and hewasu (father-in-law) to 39;
papa (father's father) to 58.
20. Tatei (father's father's brother's son's older son) to 39; kaka (mother's
father's father's brother's son's son) to 58.
21. Same as last.
22. Olo (father's father's brother's son's son's wife) to 39; no relation to
58. 39 first said that 22 was no relation; then on second thought gave the
above. 58 had ceased to think of 22 as a relative at all, although 22 stands in
the relation of kumatsa (mother's father's father's brother's son's son's wife)
to 58.
23. Same as 20.
24. Same as 20.
25. Tete (father's father's brother's son's older daughter) to 39; ami
(mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter older than mother) to 58.
27. Kawu (father's father's brother's son's daughter's husband) to 39;
haiyi (mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's husband) to 58.
28. Same as 27.
29. Same as 27.
30. Tatci (older half brother) to 39; kaka (mother's half brother) to 58.
31. Tete (older half sister) to 39; ami (mother's older half sister) to 58.
32. Same as 30.
33. Olo (half brother's wife) to 39; kumatsa (mother's half brother's wife)
to 58.
176 Viiiccrsity of CaUfornia Publications in Am. Arch, and Etlm. [Vol. 12
34. Same as 30.
35. Same as 33.
36. Same as 31.
37. Same as 31.
38. Tatci (older brother) to 39; kaka (mother's brother) to 58.
40. Ansi (father's sister's son) and nana (husband) to 39; upii (father)
to 58. If 40 were not the husband of 39 and the father of 58, he would stanil in
the relation of tatci (mother's father's sister's son) to 58. Hence it might be
said that 58 is both the daughter (tune) and younger sister (ate) of 40, a
paradox which is the product of cross-cousin marriage and a system of relation-
ship which does not fit that form of marriage.
41. Ate (younger sister) to 39; anisii (mother's younger sister) to 58.
42. Kawu (sister's husband) to 39; haiyi (mother's sister's husband) to 58.
43. Aijsi (mother's sister's daughter's son) and kawu (sister's husband) to
39; haiyi (mother's sister's husband) to 58. 43 must also stand in the relation
of tatci (mother's mother's sister's daughter's son) to 58, although the in-
formant did not state this to be so. 58 regarded 43 rather as an uncle (haiyi)
than as a brother (tatci).
44. Ate (father's brother 's younger daughter) to 39; anisii (mother's father's
brother's daughter younger than mother) to 58.
45. The informants stated that this man was no relation. Nevertheless to
39 he stands in the relation of kawu (father's brother's daughter's husband)
and to 58 he stands in the relation of haiyi (mother's father's brother's daugh-
ter's husband). It is quite possible that the informants made a mistake in the
case of this man, although, on the other hand, they may not have thought of
him as related to them even by marriage. As a matter of fact, 39 and 58 have
an ancestor in common with 45; this ancestor is 75. The blood relationship to
39 would be that of father's mother's half sister's son's son. Compare 82, 83, 84.
46. Tune (father's sister's daughter) and kolina (husband's sister) to 39;
ene (father's sister) to 58.
47. Upsa (half brother's daughter) and pansa (earlier eo-wife) to 39; anisii
(mother's half brother 's daughter) and ami (mother's earlier co-wife) to 58.
Pilekuye (39) stated that she drove Atee (47) out of her husband's house after
she (Pilekuye) became co-wife, a statement which sheds light on the probable
condition in many polygynous Miwok households.
48. Upsa (father's father's brother's son's son's daughter) to 39; anisii
(mother's father's father's brother's son's son's daughter) to 58.
49. Kawu (father's father's brother's son's son's daughter's husband) to
39; haiyi (mother's father's father's brother's son's son's daughter's husband)
to 58.
50. Tune (father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter) to 39;
tete (mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's older daughter) to 58.
51. Upsa to 39, which relationship was not traced out owing to lack of time.
By marriage to 50, however, 51 became manisa (father's father's brother's
son's daughter's daughter's husband) to 39 and kawu (mother's father's
brother 's son 's daughter 's daughter 's husband) to 58.
52. Same as 50.
53. Same as 51 by marriage.
54. Same as 50.
57. Ansi (son) to 39; tatci (older brother) to 58.
59. Ansi (son) to 39; ate (younger brother) to 58.
lOlG] Gilford: Miit-ol. Moieties 177
60. Koliua (husband's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter) and
oiyame (daughter-in-law) to 39; ene (father's father's mother's half sister's
son's daughter) and olo (brother's wife) to 58.
61. Same as 59.
62. Tune (daughter) to 39; ate (younger sister) to 58.
63. Same as 62.
64. Same as 59.
65. Same as 59.
66. Same as 59.
67. Aflsi (sister's son) to 39; tatci (mother's sister's older son) to 58.
68. Same as 67.
69. Tune (father's brother's daughter's daughter) to 39; tete (mother's
father's brother's daughter's older daughter) to 58.
70. Ansi (father's brother's daughter's son) to 39; ate (mother's father's
brother's daughter's younger son) to 58.
71. Kolina (husband's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter) and
oiyame (son's wife's sister and father's brother's daughter's son's wife) to
39; ene (father's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter) and olo (mother's
father's brother's daughter's son's wife and brother's wife's sister) to 5S.
72. Atoe (father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son) to
39; ansi (mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son)
to 58.
73. Olo (father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son's wife)
to 39; oiyame (mother's father's father's brother's sou's daughter's daughter's
son 's wife) to 58.
74. Atce (half brother's daughter's sou) to 39; ate mother's half brother's
daughter's son) to 58.
78. Papa (father's mother's brother) to 39; papa (mother's father's mother's
brother) to 58.
82. The informants stated that this man was not related to them, meaning
undoubtedly that they did not normally think of him as a relative. He actually
stands in the relation of iipii (father's mother's half sister's son) to 39. The
informants did not treat 83, 84, 45, or 85 as related to themselves through 82.
83, 84, and 45 were considered non-relatives.
85. Olo to 39; kumatsa to 58. For the facts bearing on this questionable
relation see the remarks following 114.
90. Apasti (husband's father's father) to 39; papa (father's father's father)
to 58.
93. Kawu (father's collateral sister 'si* husband) and hewasu (husband's
father's brother) to 39; papa (father's father's brother) to 58.
95. Maksi (son's father-in-law) and hewasu (husband's father's mother's
half sister's son) to 39; maksi (brother's father-in-law) and papa (father's
father's mother's half sister's son) to 58.
96. Maksi (son's mother-in-law) to 39; maksi (brother's mother-in-law) and
ania (father's father's mother's half sister's son's wife) to 58.
97. Tune (father's collateral sister's daughter) and kolina (husband's father's
brother's daughter) to 39; ene (father's father's brother's daughter) to 58.
98. Kolina (husband's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter) and
oiyame (son's wife's sister) to 39; ene father's father's mother's half sister's
son's daughter) and olo (brother's wife's sister) to 58.
n Collateral sister is the daughter of father's brother or mother's sister, in
other words, an identical cousin.
178 University of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Etlin. [Vol. 12
99. Apasti (husbaud 's father's mother's half sister's son's son) ami niaksi
(son's wife's brother) to 39; iipii (father's father's mother 's half sister's son's
son) to 58.
102. Hewasii (husband's father's father's brother's son) to 39; papa (father's
father's father's brother's son) to 58.
104. Kolina (husband's father's father's brother's son's daughter) and
anisii (mother's co-wife's brother's daughter) to 39; ene (father's father's
father's brother's son's daughter) to 58.
105. Same as last.
107. Apasti (husband's father's father's brother's son's sou) and kaka
(mother's co-wife's brother's son) to 39; iipii (father's father's father's brother's
son's son) to 58.
108. Said by informants not to be regarded as a relative. Nevertheless
108 stood in the relation of haiyeme (husband's father's father's brother's
son's son's wife) and kumatsa (mother's co-wife's brother's son's wife) to 39,
and in the relation of either ami or anisu (father's father's father's brother's
son 's son 's wife) to 58.
109. Ate (mother's co- wife's brother's daughter's son) to 39; kaka (mother's
mother's co-wife's brother's daughter's son) to 58.
110. Ansi (husband's father's father's brother's son's son's son) and kaka
(mother's co-wife's brother's son's son) to 39; ate (father's father's father's
brother's son's son's son) to 58.
113. Ate (mother's sister's younger daughter) to 39; anisii (mother's mother's
sister's daughter) to 58.
114. Kawu (mother's sister's daughter's husband) to 39; haiyi (mother's
mother's sister's daughter's husband) to 58.
The individuals 115 to 122 are related to 39 and 58 because Nomasu
(11) "used to spark with Posuhilu's [120] mother" [117]. I do not
know whether this statement by Mrs. Thompson meant that 11 was
actually the father of 118, 120, and 122 or not. At any rate, the terms
applied by her to these three individuals were the same as those ap-
plied to real brothers and sisters. The following relationships and
also that of 85, the informant said, are based on the above.
115. Ene to 39. 115 being ene to 120, who is counted as tete to 39, 115 is
reckoned as ene to 39 also. The relationship is not logical whether reckoned
by descent or by marriage.
116. I did not obtain the relationship to 39 and 58.
117. I did not obtain the relationship to 39 and 58.
118. Tete to 39; ami to 58.
119. Kawu to 39; no relation to 58.
120. Same as 118.
121. Counted as no relation. However, if 119 stands in the relation of kawu
to 39 this man ought to also.
122. Tatci to 39; kaka to 58.
Many of the above meanings of the terms of relationship are addi-
tional to those already given in the list of terms. These additional
1916] Gifford: Miiiol- Moieties 179
meaniirgs are listed below, and may be summarized in the statement
that they represent the usual collateral application of terms common
to the so-called classificatory systems of relationship. Meanings of
terms already given in the list of terms of relationship are omitted in
that which follows. It should be remembered that the ensuing use of
terms is entirely from the standpoint of a woman as the speaker.
A ma
Father's mother's brother's ilaughter.
Father 's father 's mother 's half sister 's son 's wife.
Mother's father's brother's wife.
Mother's father's mother's brother's ilaughter.
Ami
Mother's older half sister.
Mother's earlier eo-wife.
Mother's mother's earlier co-wife.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter.
Father 's father 's father 's brother 's daughter.
Anisii
Mother's half brother's daughter.
Mother's mother's sister's daughter.
Mother's co-wife's brother's daughter.
Mother's father's brother's younger daughter.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's son's daughter.
Ansi
Father's brother's daughter's sou.
Husband's father's father's brother's son's son's son.
Mother 's sister 's daughter 's son.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son.
Apasti
Husband's father's father's brother's son's son.
Husband's father's mother's half sister's son's son.
Atce
Half brother's daughter's son.
Father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son.
Ate
Father's father's father's brother's son's son's younger son.
Mother's half brother's daughter's younger son.
Mother's co-wife's brother's daughter's younger son.
Mother's father's brother's daughter's younger son.
Ene
Father's father's father's brother's son's daughter.
Father's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter.
Haiyi
Mother's mother's sister's daughter's husband.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's husband.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's son's daughter's husband.
Hetrasu
Husband's father's father's brother's son.
Husband's father's mother's half sister's son.
180 University of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
KaTca
Mother 's half brother.
Mother's co-wife's brother's son.
Mother's eo-wife's brother's son's sou.
Mother's mother's co-wife's brother's daughter's son.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's son.
Eawu
Father's father's brother's son's daughter's husband.
Father's father's brother's son's son's daughter's husband.
Mother's sister's daughter's husband.
Mother's father's father's brother's sou's daughter's daughter's luisband.
Kolina
Husband's father's brother's daughter.
Husband's father's father's brother's son's daughter.
Husband's father's mother's half sister's son's daughter.
Kumatsa
Mother's half brother's wife.
Manisa
Father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's husband.
Oiyame
Father 's brother 's daughter 's son 's wife.
Mother "s father 's father 's brother 's son 's daughter 's daughter 's son 's wife.
Olo
Brother 's wife 's sister.
Half brother's wife.
Father's father's brother's son's son's wife.
Father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter's son's wife.
Mother's father's brother's daughter's son's wife.
Papa
Father's father's brother.
Father's father's father's brother's son.
Father's father's mother's half sister's son.
Mother's father's brother.
Mother's father's father's brother.
Mother's father's father's brother's son.
Mother's father's mother's brother.
Tatci
Father's father's brother's son's older son.
Tetf
Father's father's brother's son's older daughter.
Mother's father's brother's daughter's older daughter.
Mother's father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter.
Tune-
Father 's brother 's daughter 's daughter.
Father's father's brother's son's daughter's daughter.
i'psa
Half brother's daughter.
Father's father's brother's son's son's daughter.
up a
Father 's father 's father 's brother 's son 's son.
Father 's father 's mother 's half sister 's son 's son.
1916]
Giff'oid: Miwol- Moietii'.s
My oldest iuformant, Tom Williams of Jamestown, stated that in
the case of endogamic (as to moiety) marriages the terms of relation-
ship for persons connected through the marriage were altered. Every
other informant denied this. Tom, however, volunteered the infor-
mation in such a straightforward manner that it seems not unlikely
that this was the practice in former times. All of the terms which
are said to be changed by the tabu marriage denote relationships which
are normally the result of marriage. Furthermore, each expresses a
relationship which is at least one generation removed from the speaker,
never in the speaker's generation. In each case of change a term is
substituted which brings the person addressed one generation nearer
the speaker. No change is made in the case of relatives connected by
the marriage are of one generation. The motive of the change woukl
seem to be the desire to ignore the improper (endogamic) marriage.
This alleged peculiarity of the Miwok kinship nomenclature has been
disregarded in the inferences drawn in this paper owing td
verification. The data are presented as a matter of record,
amples given by Tom Williams being tabulated below.
of
7/1 rase of endogamic
marriage It is applied
Its most direct
normal appllca-
Thc term tion is to
Eselu Child under 15 \ears Graudchild (through son)
of age under 1.5 years of age
Son Gi-andson (through son)
Daughter Granddaughter (through
son)
Father Paternal grandfather
Mother's older sister Paternal grandmother
Sister's son (m.s.) Grandson of sister (m.s.)
Husband 's brother Husband 's father
Brother's wife Son's wife (m.s.)
Husband 's sister Husband 's mother
Ansi
Tune
rjiu
Tomu
t'jisa
Ajiasti
Olo
Kolina
Kolina
Tatci
On account of the
below-named persons
being of the trrong
moiety
Grandchild 's parents
Grandson 's parents
Grandilaughter 's
parents
Speaker's parents Papa
Speaker's parents Ama
Sister's husband (m.s.) Atee
tne ex-
Had the mar-
riage been
proper (ex-
ogamic) the
term used
■would have
been
Atoe
Atce
Atee
Husband's sister
Elder brother
Tcale Younger brother
Son's wife (w.s.)
Sister 's daughter 's hus-
band (m.s.)
Sister 's daughter 's hus-
band (m.s.)
Husband
Son 's wife
Husband
Wife
Husbauil if older
than speaker
Husband if younger
than speaker
Hewasu
Oiyame
Hewasu
Oiyame
Pinuksa
Pinuksa
Terminology .\nd Social Customs
Of the female relatives who are normally of the opposite moiety,
a man may sometimes marry his auisii who stands iu the relation to
him of cross-cousin or first cousin once removed (mother's brother's
daughter or mother's brother's son's daughter). '= He may not marry
IS See the discussion of this matter under the heading "Cross-Cousin Mar-
riage, ' ' J). 81.
182 Vniver.iitii of California Puhlications in Am. Arch, ami Ethn. (Vol. 12
the anisii who stands iu the relation to him of mother's j'oungei' sistei-.
There seems to be no objection, however, to a man marrying his anisii
who is his mother's collateral sister. The marriage of 41 and 43 in
genealogy I, generation D, and genealogy V, generation E, is of this
type, 41 standing in the relation to 43 of mother's mother's sister's
daughter. A man may not marry his lupuba, his tomu, or his oiyame.
Speech with his oiyame (usually daughter-in-law) is tabued.
Of the female relatives who may belong to either moiety, he may
marry only those individuals who are not of his moiety, as follows :
upon the death of his brother, his olo who stands in the relation of
brother's wife; and upon the death of his wife, his wokli who stands
in the relation of wife's sister, wife's brother's daughter, or wife's
father 's sister. He may form a polygynous union with any of the last
three during the lifetime of his wife. The marriage of 40 to 39 after
his marriage to 47 (genealogy I, generations D and E) affords an
example of a man marrying his wife's father's [half] sister.
A woman may sometimes marry her ausi who is her cross-eousiu,
or first cousin once removed (father's sister's son of father's father's
sister's son), or her aiisi who is her collateral sister's son, as in the
ease cited above (41 and 43 in genealogies I and V). She may not
marry the aiisi who is her own son or her sister's son. She may not
marry her kaka. Of the male relatives who may belong to either
moiety a woman may marry those who are not of her moiety, as
follows: upon the death of her husband or of her married sister, her
apasti, who stands in the relation of husband's brother, or her kawu,
who stands in the relation of sister's husband, father's sister's husband,
or brother's daughter's husband. She may also become a co-wife in
a polygynous union with either of the last three. The marriage of
39 to 40 in genealogy I, generation D, exemplifies this, for 40 was
already the husband of 47 (generations D and E), who was 39's [half]
brother's daughter. If 40 had married 39 first and then 47, the second
marriage would have been an example of a woman marrying her
father's [half] sister's husband, or to state it from the opposite stand-
point, an example of a man marrying his wife's [half] brother's
daughter. The marriage of 11 to 14 (genealogy I, generation C) is
another case in point. 14 stood in the relation of iipsa (probably
brother's daughter) to 12 and 13. Hence when 11 married 14 he
married his wives' brother's daughter. 12, 13, 14, and 15 were co-
wives married to 11 ; 39 and 47 were co-wives married to 40.
1916] Gifford: Miwok Moieties 183
Speech tabus between relatives among the Miwok are correlated, so
far as they go, with certain of the types of marriage. Between people
of the same moiety tabus operate as follows: between a man and his
mother-in-law, between a man and his mother-in-law 's sisters, between
a man and his mother's brother's wife, and between a woman and her
son-in-law 's brother. Tabus between relatives of different moieties are
those between a woman and her father-in-law, a woman and her father-
in-law's brother, and a man and his daughter-in-law's sisters. It is
to be noted that when it is permissible for relatives to marry after the
death of the connecting relative, no speech tabu is imposed upon them
during the life of the connecting relative. Conversely, tabus continue
in operation after the death of the connecting relative, just as terms
of relationship do, for example, mother-in-law and son-in-law. If it
becomes necessary to address a tabu relative on account of the absence
of a go-between, the plural form is used, and, as an Indian expresses
it, he talks to his relative as though she were more than one person.
For example, a man would address his kumatsa (mother's brother's
wife) by the plural kumatsako.
In the succeeding paragraphs the application of terms of relation-
ship, which apparently have been conditioned by social customs, will
be discussed. The social phenomena, outside of exogamy, which I
believe to have been particularly potent in molding the features of
the Miwok terminology, are the right of marriage to certain of the
wife's relatives and descent in the male line. Then, too, a psycho-
logical factor may be invoked, namely, the feeling that one brother
may be substituted for another, or, in other words, that brothers are
essentially alike. The use of the term iipii (father) for father's
brother indicates this sentiment, and shows that the father and the
father's brother were regarded as more or less interchangeable as
husbands and fathers. This use of the term iipii might be interpreted
as indicating polyandry in which two or more brothers married a
single woman. There is not the slightest pretext, however, for be-
lieving that such a form of marriage ever existed among the Central
Sierra Miwok. The concept of the similarity of brothers found ex-
pression in the practice of a man marrying his brother's widow and
thus becoming the father of his brother's children. The inclusion of
the father and his brother in the term iipii is just the reverse of the
careful distinction of the mother and her sisters by the terms iita,
mother; tomu or ami, mother's older sister; and anisii, mother's
younger sister.
184 University of Cnlifornia Puhlications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
Upon the death of his wife a man might marry her sister, in ease
he had not already done so in a polygynous marriage. These two
customs, the marriage of a man to his brother's widow and to his
wife's sister, readily account for the applications of the twelve terms
of relationship which follow. It is not claimed that the terms have
resulted only from these two types of marriage, but it is claimed that
the types of marriage and the use of the terms are in agreement and
certainly seem to stand in the relation of cause and effect.
Father.
Father 's brother.
Aiisi
Son.
Man's brother's son.
Woman 's sister 's son.
Husband 's brother 's son.
Wife's sister's son.
Tune
Daughter.
Man's brother's daughter.
Woman's sister's daughter.
Husband's brother's daughter.
Wife's sister's daughter.
Kole
Younger sister.
Father's brother's younger daughter.
Mother's sister's younger daughter.
Tatci
Older brother.
Father's brother's older son.
Mother 's sister 's older son.
Tete
Older sister.
Father's brother's older daughter.
Mother's sister's older daughter.
Tcale
Younger brother.
Father's brother's younger son.
Mother's sister's younger son.
Hewa,^u
Father-in-law.
Husband's father's brother.
Wife's father's brother.
Mother-in-law.
Wife's mother's sister.
Husband's mother's sister.
1916] Giford : Uiu-ok Moieties 185
Manisa
Son-in-law.
Man's brother's ilaughter's luisbanil.
Woman's sister's daughter's husband.
Daughter 's husband 's brother.
Oiyame
Daughter-in-law.
Man's brother's son's wife.
Woman 's sister 's son 's wife.
Son 's wife 's sister.
Haiyrme
Later eo-wife.
Husband's brother's wife.
Anisii
Stepmother.
Mother's younger sister.
Father's brother's wife.
The term anisii denotes among immediate relatives the motlier's
brother's daughter, the mother's younger sister and the father's
brother's wife, providing she is younger than the mother. The
mother's older sister and the father's brother's wife, providing she
is older than the mother, are called tomu, or, among the Big Creek
people, ami. The identity of the terms in each of these pairs of re-
lationships need not be taken as an indication of double marriage,
although informants stated that two brothers did at times marry two
sisters, and such indeed would be the case were cross-cousin marriage
rigorously adhered to. The identity of the terms undoubtedly arises
from the two marriage ctistoms mentioned above, which liave nothing
to do with either double marriage or cross-cousin marriage; namely,
the marrying of the brother's widow and of the wife's sister. Hence,
regarded from the standpoint of myself, my mother's sister and my
father's brother's wife are both the potential wives of my father and
both my potential stepmothers. To my mind this accounts for the
identity in terminology without involving double marriage or cross-
cousin marriage. As I will show later, cross-cousin marriage is un-
doubtedly a late and not general development and has had no effect
on the terminology of relationship.
The identification of the mother's brother's daughter with the
mother's younger sister and the father's brother's wife younger than
the mother is apparent in the use of the term anisii for these three
relationships without any qualifying terra. As corroboration of this
identification, it must be noted that the reciprocals of the various
186 Viiiversity of Coliforiiia Publications in Am. Arch, and Etlm. [Vol. 12
meanings of the terms anisii and tomu are identical throughout. They
are ansi and tune, that is, son and daughter. Furthermore, a man
or a woman calls the children of the anisii cross-cousin (mother's
brother's daughter), when they are not the man's own, his or her
brothers and sisters, just as is done with the children of other anisii
relatives, notably mother's sister's children. Light is thrown on this
identification of the mother's brother's daughter with the mothi--r's
younger sister and the father's brother's wife younger than the mother
by the Miwok custom of a man marrying his wife's brother's daughter
in cases of polygamy or after the death of his wife. In some cases,
if she were too young for him to marry, she was held for him until
she had reached the marriageable age, when she was handed over to
him. To myself, therefore, my mother's brother's daughter also stands
in the relation of father's potential wife or potential stepmother, just
as do my mother's sister and my father's brother's wife. The r>--
flection, in the term anisii, of this form of marriage : namely, of a man
to his wife's brother's daughter, is indicative of its antiquity. The
term anisii might be translated, not by its various applications, but
by the term potential stepmother, a translation which would apply
consistently to the individuals included under the term.
Other Miwok terms of relationship give additional proof of the
marriage of a man to his wife's brother's daughter. The term wokli
is applied not only to wife's brother or sister but also to wife's
brother 's son or daughter. This means that a man 's wife 's brother 's
daughter may become his wife, thus making the remaining children
of his first wife's brother his brothers- and sisters-in-law. Tlie appli-
cation of the reciprocal of wokli, kawu, to sister's hiisband and father's
sister's husband indicates the same kind of marriage, which, as already
pointed out, is the actual custom. This type of marriage is reflected
altogether in twelve terms, to wit : anisii, ansi, kaka, kawu, kole, lupuba,
tatci, tete, tune, tcale, iipsa, and wokli.
A woman calls her father's sister's children, who are her cross-
cousins, son and daughter, terms which seem to have arisen from this
form of marriage. Viewed from the standpoint of the woman, she
marries her father 's sister 's husband ; hence his children become her
stepchildren. In Miwok terminology, whether she marries the man
or not, his children (her cross-eousins) are called aiisi and tune (son
and daughter) by her, and she is called anisii (potential stepmother')
by them. The principle is carried into other terms, for her brotlier is
called kaka (mother's brother) by them, while he applies tlie terms
1916] Giford: Miwol Moieties 187
iipsa and lupuba (sister's son and daughter) to them, according to
their sex. We thus find that the Miwok classification of cross-cousins
seems to be based entirely on this form of marriage; namely, that of
a woman to her father's sister's husband or of a man to his wife's
brother's daughter. The cross-cousins are:
Man's mother's brother's daughter — anisii.
Man's mother's brother's son — kaka.
Man 's father 's sister 's son — iipsa.
Man 's father 's sister 's daughter — lupuba.
Woman 's mother 's brother 's daughter — anisii.
Woman's mother's brother's son — kaka.
Woman's father's sister's son — aiisi.
Woman 's father 's sister 's daughter — tune.
It is to be noted that the mother's brother's sou and daughter are
called by the terms for uncle and potential stepmother (kaka and
anisii), whether the speaker is a man or a woman. A woman's father's
sister's son and daughter are called son and daughter, while a man's
father's sister's son and daughter are called nephew and niece.
The practice of cross-cousins applying to each other the terms used
by children and parents, or by children and aunts and uncles, is closely
paralleled elsewhere in the world. Dr. K. H. Codrington^" has re-
corded a case in the Banks Islands which Dr. W. H. R. Rivers'' has
cited. Exact parallels to the terminology in the Banks Islands are
found among the Minnitarees, Crows, Choctaws, Creeks, Cherokees,
and Pawnees."^ All of the above cases would be the result. Dr. Rivers
claims, of the marriage of a man to his mother 's brother 's wife. This
type of marriage is impossible among the Miwok on account of moiety
exogamy and descent in the male line, so that here the parallel be-
tween the Miwok, Melanesian, and eastern North American cases
ceases. The Miwok terminology is probably caused, however, by the
reverse cu.stom of a woman marrying her father's sister's husband,
or, stating it from the standpoint of a man, of a man marrying his
wife's brother's daughter. To me it seems probable that this custom
is responsible for the uniting of my mother's brother and his male
descendants, immediate and through males, ad inpnitmn. in the term
kaka. Likewise it is probably responsible for the uniting of my
10 The Melanesians, Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore (Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1891), 38-39.
1" Kinship and Social Organization (London, Constable & Co. Ltd., 1914), 28^
is/biVi., .53.
188 University of California Publications in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
mother's brother's female descendauts immediate and through males,
ad infiniium, in the term auisii, for all are the potential wives of my
father. Dr. Robert H. Lowie points to an identical combination of
male descendants of the mother's brother among the patrilineal Omaha,
Oto, Kansa, and other Siouan tribes.^" He would lay this to the
operation of exogamy and to the extension of the use of terms of
relationship to clan brothers and sisters, rather than to a special mar-
riage custom, as Dr. Rivers would. Among the Miwok there are no
clan or moiety brothers and sisters, all relationship being based on
blood and marriage ties. Marriage custom and terminology among
the Miwok would seem, therefore, to support Dr. Rivers' contention.
Other features which would arise from the type of marriage just dis-
cussed are also present both among the Omaha and the Miwok ; for
example, the classing together of father's sister's daughter and sister's
daughter. Among the Omaha my mother's brother's daughter's son
is my brother; so he is also among the Miwok, where my mother's
brother's daughter may be my stepmother, for my father has a right
to marry her in case of my mother's death, or in case he desires to
have more than one wife.
To sum up, I do not deny the potency of exogamy to bring about
the Omaha and Miwok type of nomenclature, but I do claim for the
marriage custom cited an equal potency to' bring about such a result.
The combining of woman 's sister 's husband and woman 's brother "s
daughter's husband in the term kawu, and of wife's sister and wife's
father's sister in the term wokli, are reflections of the marriage of a
man to his wife's father's sister and conversely of a woman to her
brother's daughter's husband.
In Miwok polygnous marriages it is said to have been not un-
common for a man to marry two sisters. Such a marriage is shown
in genealogy I, generation C. Nomasu (11) married "Wiluye (12) and
Tulmisuye (13), who were real sisters (see genealogy IV, generation
C). This type of marriage is reflected but faintly in the nomenclature
of relationship. The remarks under 107, page 178, in the demonstra-
tion of the terms of relationship based on the genealogies, bring to
light a reflection of this type of marriage. The term kaka, usually
applied to mother's brother and mother's brother's son, is here applied
to mother's co-wife's brother's son just as if mother's co-wife was
mother's sister, which she is not in this case. The fact that this term
is here applied to a person through a co-wife who is not mother's
>» Exogamy and Systems of Relationship, Am. Anthr., n. s., xvii. 2;iS, 1915.
1916] Gifard: Miu'ok Moil tics - LSE)
sister leads one to believe that co-wives were usually sisters. For
similar examples see 109 and 110. Other terms of relationship are
also used on the basis of treating co-wives as sisters ; for instance, see
the use of anisii in 104, of ate in 109, and of ami in 12 and 47. In the
last two instances the motlioi-'s co-wife is called by tlie term used for
mother's older sister.
CROSS-COUSIN MARRIAGE
When asked if it were proper for a man to marry a cousin. ]\Iiwok
infoi'mants always replied in the negative. In obtaining genealogical
information, however, eases came up in which a man married his
mother's brother's daughter. I called my informant's attention to
this fact and received the I'eply that the individuals concerned were
not regarded as cousins, for they stood in the i-elation of ausi and
anisii to each other, which translated into English would be son and
aunt, or potential stepmother. This affords an excellent example of
the futility of using English terms of relationship with natives when
discussing native customs.
Every Miwok to whom the question was put stated that the proper
mate for a man was a woman who stood in the relation of anisii to
him, providing she was not too closely related to him.-" Although a
man might marry his anisii cross-cousin, who was the daughter of his
mother's brother, he could under no circumstances marry his lupuba
cross-cousin, who was the daughter of his father's sister. This one-
sidedness of cross-cousin marriage among the Miwok in no way affected
its popularity, or, to be more exact, the popularity of anisii-aiisi mar-
riages, of which the cross-cousin marriage is one form. In many cases
my informants would state that a certain man and his wife stood in
the relation to each other of aiisi and anisii. Although these instances
were not substantiated, except in four cases, by genealogical proof,
they show the popularity of this form of marriage. At Big Creek
six of the listed marriages are of this type, eight are not, and on the
remaining eight I have no information. Cases were encountered in
which a husband and wife claimed to stand in the aiisi-anisii relation
to each other, but, when asked to demonstrate the relation, were unable
to trace the connecting links. This state of affairs shows clearly that
ansi-anisii marriages must have been the vogue, otherwise married
2" See meanings of term anisii on pages 172 and 179; also discussion of ter
under "Terminology and Social Customs."
190 University of California I'uhlii'atioiis in Am. Arch, and Ethn. [Vol. 12
people who could uot prove such a relationship would not lay claim
to it. Even among the Northern Sierra Miwok at Elk Grove, among
whom the moiety system does not seem to exist, ansi-anisii marriages
were the custom. The Southern Sierra Miwok of Madera County state
that these marriages were proper, but that the contracting parties
must be only distantly related.
Informants at Jamestown, while stating that anisii-afisi marriages
were prevalent there as elsewhere, said that marriages between first
cousins, who stood in this relation, were commoner higher in the moun-
tains than at Jamestown. The men at Jamestown and lower in the
foothills were inclined to marry an anisii further removed than a first
cousin. There seems to have been a sentiment at Jamestown against
the marriage of first cousins. One woman was asked if she would
consider it proper for her sou to marry her brother's daughter. She
replied, "No, she is too much like his mother," meaning herself. Her
reply may have been engendered by the Miwok custom of a man
marrying his wife's brother's daughter. By this marriage his new
wife, who is also his son's anisii cross-cousin, would become his son's
stepmother ; hence perhaps the woman 's statement with regard to her
son 's anisii cross-cousin, ' ' too much like his mother. ' '
The identification of the anisii cross-cousin with the mother's
younger sister and father's brother's wife younger than mother has
already been discussed under the heading "Terminology and Social
Customs." As stated there, there are twelve terms which reflect the
marriage of a man to his wife's brother's daughter. Turning now to
cross-cousin marriage, let us search for terms which reflect it. We
find that there are none. With the populai'ity of cross-cousin mar-
riage in the minds of the people at present, one might expect to find
identical terms for such relationships as mother's brother and man's
father-in-law, mother's brother's wife and man's mother-in-law, son
and daughter and son and daughter of a man's anisii cross-cousin,
but such terms are lacking.^^ The only evidence whicli possibly favors
antiquity of cross-cousin marriage lies in the speech tabu which exists
between a man and his mother's brother's wife or kumatsa, who in
view of cross-cousin marriage is his potential mother-in-law. The
=1 As mentioned on page 173 in the iliscussion of the term kumatsa. two .Tames-
town informants gave the term manisa (normally son-in-law) for husband's
sister's son instead of the usual term pinuksa. If this usage were established
it could be said that cross-cousin marriage did have a reflection in the nomen-
clature. However, five other informants gave pinuksa, not manisa, as the proper
term.
1916] Gifford: Mitcol Moieties 191
Miwok, like other California Indians, imposed a tabu upon a man and
his mother-iu-la\v.
The situation there is this : There is in the Miwok terminology
of relationship an undeniable reflection of the marriage of a man to
his wife's brother's daughter; on the other hand, there is no reflection
whatever of cross-eousin marriage. This implies that the former is
the more primitive custom of the two. It may be .shown in a diagram
as follows:
E f
In this diagram, if E marries /, who is E's mother's brother's
daughter (anisii cross-eousin), A cannot marry /, who is his wife's
brother's daughter, because / has already become his son's wife, and
all intercourse between a man and his daughter-in-law is tabued. Tf
E did not marry /, A would have a perfect right to her, for / is his
wife's brother's daughter and his potential wife. Thus we have the
two types of marriage in conflict, for either a man or his son may
claim the same woman, A claiming / because she is his wife's brother's
daughter, E claiming / because she is his anisii (mother's brother's
daughterl. Informants and genealogies vouch for the occun-ence of
both forms of marriage, which if taken as synchronous for any one
woman would mean polyandry, of which there is no trace, a man and
his son having one woman in common. It is easily conceivable, how-
ever, that the two practices existed side by side.
An attempt to show the connection between these two intimately
related forms of marriage will now be made. It has already been
pointed out that the marriage of a man to his wife's brother's daughter
. is reflected in twelve terms of relationship. Evidently, therefore, a
man regarded his wife's brother's daughter as his potential wife, for
in some ca.ses of polygyny, and of the death of the first wife, he mar-
ried her. Here seems to me to be the key to the mystery of the one-
sided Miwok cross-cousin marriage. The man who thus had a right
to marry his wife's brother's daughter may have passed that right on
to his son. In other words, the marriage right of the father became
vested in the son in cases in which the father did not avail himself
of it. This hypothesis explains why two blood relatives, who recip-
192 University of California PablicalioHS in Am. Arch, and Etitn. [Vol. 12
roeally used the terms for sou aud potential stepmother, or aunt, aud
who might actually become stepson and stepmother, should marry.
The theory that cross-cousin marriage has been thus evolved from
another form of marriage through descent in the male line, displays
it as a secondary, and perhaps recent, form of marriage, which has
not yet affected the nomenclature of relationship. If it were found
in future investigations that the father paid for his wife's brother's
daughter and then let his son mari-y her, our hypothesis would become
almost an established fact.
Two terms of relationship, which are reciprocals, seem to support
this hypothetical origin of cross-cousin marriage. They are kolina
and olo. In kolina are united the husband 's sister and the husband 's
father's sister, which would be the case where both a man and his
father had the right to a woman. To fit our hypothesis more exactly,
however, the meanings combined should be husband's sister and hus-
band's son's sister (that is, stepdaughter).
If we admit the cogency of the above theorj' as to the origin of the
unilateral Miwok cross-cousin marriage, we immediately have at hand
an explanation of why the other form of cross-cousin marriage is for-
bidden. When a man marries his wife's brother's daughter he marries
a person who is normally not his blood relative. As I have already
pointed out, it is but a simple step to extend to the man's son the
privilege of marrying the same woman, providing the man himself
does not do so. Now let us try to imagine the forbidden cross-cousin
marriage arising in a similar manner. In the first step this involves
the marriage of a man to his son's lupuba cross-cousin, that is, to his
son's father's sister's daughter, who is his own sister's daughter. She
is called lupuba by both the man and his son. In the diagram D and
/ are the cross-cousins. A has absolutely no right to /. his son 's eross-
D f
cousin. In the first place, she is not related to his wife h. and in the
second place she is the daughter of his own sister e. and hence a close
blood relative. As we recall, his right to his son's other female cross-
cousin (anisti) was based on the fact that she was his wife's brother's
daughter and normally not his blood relative. It would seem that the
ItD 1.4 B'^
1916] Giford: Miwolc Moirties 193
prohibition against a man marrying his lupuba, who is his sister's
daughter, had been extended to the sou, thus preventing the latter
from marrying his lupuba, who is his father's sister's daughter and
his own eross-eousin.
If Miwok eross-eousin marriage had arisen in any other way than
the hyjiothetical way already outlined it is hard to imagine why it
should be restricted to only one pair of cross-cousins. The very fact
that it is so restricted strengthens the theory of origin primarily
through the passing on of a privilege in the male line. In allowing
the one kind of cross-cousin marriage and not the other the iliwok
evidently considered inheritance as more important than consanguin-
ity ; yet where inheritance had no weight consanguinity became active
and prevented the other form of cross-cousin marriage.
Two first cousin marriages of the eross-eousin type were recorded.
The first case is in generation C, in genealogies I and II ; the indi-
viduals are numbered 16 and 17. Talalu (16) married Niwuye (17),
who is the daughter of his mother's (6, Simutuye) brother (78, Pee-
luyak). The second case is in generation D of genealogy I; the indi-
viduals are numbered 39 and 40. Sapata (40) married Pilekuye (39),
who is the daughter of his mother's (18, Miltaiye) brother (11, No-
masu). One n:iarriage between first cousins once removed was re-
corded. The marriage is that of Sapata (40) and Atce (47). It is
recorded in generations D and E of genealogy I. Sapata (40) mar-
ried the daughter (47, Atce) of his mother's (18, Miltaiye) brother's
(11, Nomasu) .son (32, Pelisu).
CONCLUSION
The discovery of a dual social organization among the llono and
the Yokuts tribes, as mentioned in the introduction, indicates that
they together with the Miwok form a compact unit socially. Judging
from Dr. J. Alden Mason's statement" as to the presence of a bear
and a deer "totem" among the Salinan Indians, it seems safe to infer
that tlie moiety organization will be found to extend to the coast.
Among the Central Sierra Miwok the bear is the animal associated
most frequently through personal names with the land moiety: the
deer is the animal associated most frequently in a like mannei- with
2= The Ethnology of the Salinan Indians, Univ. Calif. Publ. Am. Areh. Ethn.,
X. 189, 1912.
194 VniversHy of CoUfoniia Publications in Am. Arcli. and Ethn. [Vol. 12
the water moiety. These facts suggest that the bear aud tlie deer
"totems" among the Salinan may stand for two moieties.
The greater complexity of the moiety organization among the Tachi
Yokuts about Tulare Lake as compared to the Central Sierra Miwok
organization leads to the impression that the latter people are on the
periphery of the moiety area. Although it is too early ia the study
to advance a positive opinion, the distribution of the institution, to-
gether with its varj'ing complexity, seems to point to the San Joaciuin
Valley as the region from which the organization spread to the moun-
tain tribes, perhaps to the west as well as to the east.-^
-3 For a preliminaiv notice see Diehotomous Social Organization in South
Central California, Univ. Calif. Publ. Am. Arch. Ethn., xi, 291-296, 1916.
Transmitted September 18, 1915.
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